JAMES Milner admits he did not feel like a Newcastle United player until he took the field against Middlesbrough, despite leaving former club Leeds more than five weeks ago.

The versatile midfielder, who returned to Teesside to represent England Under-21s last night, has shown few signs of nerves since moving to the North-East.

He impressed on the Magpies' pre-season tour of the Far East, looked at home during the inaugural Newcastle Gateshead Cup, and pressed his claims for a first-team berth in Newcastle's final warm-up game at Celtic.

But initial appearances can be deceptive and, after spending more than five years as part of the Elland Road Academy, Milner has faced an inevitable upheaval following the first move of his professional career.

Last weekend's 2-2 draw marked his senior debut in a Newcastle shirt and, after providing some valuable enterprise on the right flank, the 18-year-old finally feels at home in his new surroundings.

"It was a great feeling to finally get out there," admitted Milner, touted in some quarters as a long-term solution to Sven-Goran Eriksson's long-standing left midfield problem.

"Because until you have played in a league game for a new club it doesn't quite feel as though you have joined.

"I was so delighted to be on a team sheet with some of the best players in the country, and to get in the starting XI was amazing."

The next stage of Milner's development will be Saturday's home game with Tottenham and, while he featured in both games of the Newcastle Gateshead Cup, the weekend's Premiership clash promises to be a substantially different proposition.

He was part of the Leeds side that lost 1-0 on Tyneside last season but, instead of facing the wrath of the Newcastle fans, he will have them on his side as he makes his competitive home debut.

"It's going to be a very special day when I get the chance to play in front of our home fans," said Milner, who twice came close to joining Spurs before signing on at St James' Park.

"I've been waiting for that moment for a long time. I have played at St James' Park before and it is an incredible stadium with loud and passionate fans, but I have always come as an away player.

" This will be very different with the crowd right behind me."

Milner is set to retain his place on the right of midfield this weekend, with his ability to play on either flank already proving a useful asset to boss Sir Bobby Robson.

The youngster spent most of his Leeds career on the opposite side of the field but, while certain high-profile midfielders have hogged the headlines because of their supposed inflexibility, he is more than willing to fill whatever hole appears on the team sheet.

"I really enjoyed myself on my debut down the right flank," said Milner.

"I can play on the left as well but, to be honest, I would play anywhere as long as I am in the team.

"I think at my age, getting experience in the Premiership is all that matters.

"I have to use that experience to try to become a better player.

"I have to work at it every day in training and just keep playing as well as I can. Playing alongside the likes of Alan Shearer and Craig Bellamy can only do good things for my game.

"I thought Craig's workrate was just incredible at Middlesbrough. He does so much I don't know where he gets it from."

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