PATRICK KLUIVERT has been reassured by manager Sir Bobby Robson that he still has an important part to play at Newcastle United.

Kluivert has yet to start a Premiership game since making the move from Primera Liga's Barcelona in the summer and he was not even used as a substitute in the midweek draw with Norwich City.

The Dutchman will again have to sit on the bench this afternoon at Aston Villa as Alan Shearer and Craig Bellamy, with three goals between them, are named as the club's two first choice strikers.

Kluivert - who made a name for himself as a striker at Barca, Ajax and AC Milan - is unlikely to put up with being a bit part player for too long but Robson insists the forward remains a big part of his plans.

"I'm in a Catch 22 situation with Patrick," said Robson, who could have a fifth quality striker in his squad if Wayne Rooney opts for a move to St James' Park. "The only way that Patrick can get match fit is to play matches but I have to decide when I play him.

"I have to decide when the right moment is. I am aware that we have Patrick Kluivert, Shola Ameobi, Craig Bellamy and Alan Shearer. As we play more games and the season unfolds it will be easier. We've only played three games."

One of the bright spots in Newcastle's jittery early season form has been the form of teenage winger James Milner.

Milner, a £3.6m buy from Leeds United, has shown plenty of promise in all three of the Magpies' games but could be rested today with the return to fitness of midfielder Jermaine Jenas.

Robson, due to leave his role at Newcastle in May, has been delighted with the England Under-21 starlet but concedes his successor will be the one to see the best of the talented midfielder.

"We have to get that final ball in. He's a young lad - a great lad - but he's got to get that ball in," said Robson. "Sometimes he tries to beat a player when he doesn't need to. He needs to get the ball in quickly, get it in early - like Beckham. Beckham never beats anyone before he gets the ball in.

"He's got to get the ball in quicker, get the ball in earlier. He's a great young player, he's only 18 and he has a big future at this club. I won't see the best of James Milner - someone else will."

Newcastle are yet to win this seaosn - having drawn two and lost one of their opening fixtures - but Robson is confident favourable results will come and he sees Villa Park today as the ideal place to start.

"We won't get left behind in the league until the season ends. If we're dropping points at home we certainly don't want to be dropping them away from home," said the 71-year-old. "I've said to the players it will turn - we will turn. The players themselves will do it.

"We're too good a side and we play too good football for it not to turn. We've already played some good football but we're struggling to find the final ball."