FORGOTTEN forward James Milner is determined to use this evening's Under-21s clash with Azerbaijan as a way of forcing himself into the Newcastle first team.

Great things were expected of the 19-year-old when he left his hometown club Leeds to make a £3.5m move to Tyneside in the summer. But, while former boss Sir Bobby Robson saw the youngster as the finished article, current manager Graeme Souness seems considerably more reticent about his abilities.

Milner has started just three league games under the Scotsman, and his brief substitute appearance at Portsmouth earlier this month was his first Premiership outing since mid-January.

With Kieron Dyer, Lee Bowyer and Laurent Robert all enjoying fine runs of form, the versatile attacker is finding it difficult to prove his worth. But, with tonight's international clash following hot on the heels of Friday night's 2-2 draw with Germany, Milner is hoping to press his claims for a domestic berth as England's youngsters return to the North-East.

Souness is expected to be in attendance at the Riverside and, after helping set up Dean Ashton for England's second on Friday, Milner is hoping to make a similarly impressive impact in front of his boss.

"I've got quite a few caps now for the Under-21s and that's nice," said Milner, who is expected to start this evening despite cutting his head in the latter stages of last week's draw.

"It's a big part of any young player's career. Hopefully I'll be involved again against Azerbaijan. It's a big game, it's a qualifying game, and it's important in its own right.

"But it's also another way of keeping myself match fit and keeping myself right for Newcastle.

"Hopefully the manager will be watching the game, so it's another chance to show him what I can do in a competitive match situation.

"I've got to be patient. I want to play, but I've got to wait for my chance and prove that I should be playing.

"It's not down to anyone else - it's down to me. I've got to show the manager, in matches and in training, that I should be playing and I should be involved."

Milner's career began with a bang as he forced his way into Leeds' first team at the age of 16 and became the youngest goalscorer in Premiership history during 2002's win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

At that stage he was being compared to Wayne Rooney but, while the Manchester United striker has gone from strength to strength, Milner's momentum has slowed since his move in the summer.

The youngster is understandably frustrated at his lack of involvement but, rather than considering his options away from the North-East, he remains committed to proving himself at St James' Park.

"Everybody's career has highs and lows in it," said Milner. "I didn't move to Newcastle to sit on the bench and not play - I wanted to be playing every week.

"But there are a lot of other players at this club who will be feeling exactly the same. The quality of players meant it was always going to be difficult, but I've got to prove myself and prove that I am good enough to play in this team.

"It's been frustrating. Every footballer wants to play, whether they're 38 or 18. Everybody wants to play, and I'm no different.

"But I'll be more than happy if I'm involved between now and the end of the season. I know I can help to create goals and I know I can make an impact when I get the chance to come on."

While most of Milner's Newcastle appearances have come in midfield, his best displays for Leeds came when he was used as a second striker behind Mark Viduka.

His attacking appearances were always likely to be limited when he joined United but, with Craig Bellamy certain to leave in the summer and both Alan Shearer and Patrick Kluivert unlikely to be around next season, that situation could be about to change.

He would have to adapt his game if he was to lead the line for the Magpies but, with Shearer and Kluivert for company, he could not wish for better tutors.

"I'm learning every day," admitted Milner. "I think every player learns from playing and training - I bet even Alan Shearer is still learning new things every now and then.

"There's more for me to learn than some of the more experienced players but, with the type of players we have at the club, I'm in the best place to do that learning."

Read more about Newcastle United FC here.