DURING Gary Speed's days at Leeds, Newcastle United teenager James Milner idolised the Welshman and stuck posters of the midfielder to his bedroom wall.

Speed only left St James' Park in the summer for Bolton and tomorrow, when Graeme Souness takes his side to the Reebok Stadium, the Magpies' past will be met head on by the club's future.

The 35-year-old was allowed to leave by Sir Bobby Robson in July as the former Newcastle boss pinned his faith in the younger generation.

It was a decision which has since been vindicated, with Jermaine Jenas' dazzling form in the middle of the pitch and steady Nicky Butt proving there is life after the evergreen Welshman.

Milner, unlikely to start against Bolton today, is looking forward to meeting up with a player 17 years his senior and was disappointed not to have spent a longer period of time working alongside him on Tyneside.

The 18-year-old moved to Newcastle for £3.6m from Elland Road during the summer and only a few weeks later Speed, after 275 appearances for the Tyneside outfit, departed for Bolton.

Milner, who was in the Leeds side that lost to a Speed-inspired Newcastle 1-0 in January, claims the elder-statesman has had a huge effect on his burgeoning career and still has the utmost respect for him as a man and player.

"It will be a great thrill to see Gary Speed again," said Leeds-born Milner. "The first thing that came across about him is that he is a fantastic pro. He was a great player to have around the place and his fitness levels are phenomenal.

"In pre-season I worked with him and he showed me a lot. His attitude and the way he plays the game is amazing as he has the energy to get all over the pitch. His touch on the pitch is incredible and any side would want him in their squad.

"He is doing well and so are the whole Bolton team. I was a kid when Leeds won the championship and I had pictures of Speed on my wall. He was part of a great Leeds side and I remember watching him play at Elland Road when I was a kid.

"Bolton had a team anyway without Speed but they seem to be getting better and better every year. You put a player like Gary Speed into their side and they will improve and they are getting some fantastic results."

Bolton does not hold good memories for Milner. In May, Leeds were condemned to life in the Football League after losing 4-1 to the Trotters.

Milner, up front alongside Mark Viduka that day, was devastated to be part of his hometown club's demise but insists having to deal with relegation has helped him to mature quicker.

"It was not a nice game to play in for Leeds last season," said Milner. "It was an experience I would not like to go through again, but you have to learn from your setbacks and bounce back.

"If I can learn from last season and put it into my game then hopefully I can learn from that. I found it very difficult playing in that game.

"As a Leeds fan it was tough. I had been at the club for eight years, which made it very hard. My mum and dad are fans of the club as well which made it even more difficult. They were tough days but I just hope it can make me a better person and a better player, having gone through that.

"But we are on a good run and thankfully I am going back there in different circumstances."

Despite his tender years, Milner has a growing reputation and that is mainly due to the immediate impact he had in his debut season, when he became the youngest Premiership scorer in a 2-1 win at Sunderland on Boxing Day 2002.

Milner said: "I think it has been a help being known as the youngest scorer. It has certainly got me noticed and that is what football is all about."

Read more about Newcastle United FC here.