THE make-weight in bringing Nolberto Solano back to Tyneside, James Milner, has admitted he is disappointed to be missing out on the chance to play alongside Michael Owen at Newcastle United.

Despite manager Graeme Souness' reluctance on Wednesday to lose the services of Milner for a season, the Scot's hand was forced in the end by the need to add Solano to his playing staff.

After acquiring the services of both Owen and Spaniard Albert Luque the only role left bereft with experience was the right of midfield, so Souness knew the Peruvian had to be bought.

Aston Villa had agreed to sell Solano to Newcastle for £1.5m providing Milner headed in the opposite direction on a season long loan.

And, after that deal was agreed on deadline day, Milner admits he feels like the unlucky loser - despite looking forward to playing again for his old boss at Leeds, David O'Leary.

The 19-year-old, a £3.5m buy from Leeds 13 months ago, has struggled to command a regular first team place at St James' Park but remains in Souness' plans for the future.

Milner is seen by Souness as a prospect rather than a Premiership star and has decided the capture of the more dependable Solano is a more viable option - particularly as the England Under-21 will be back on Tyneside in July.

But that does not detract from the fact Milner will be missing out on the opportunity to create goals for Owen in a black and white shirt.

"It would have been nice to play alongside Michael Owen because he is a world-class striker who has scored goals everywhere he has been," he said.

"But I am equally thrilled to be at Villa with the quality of players we have here and that is what I am concentrating on now.

"The loan move should hopefully give me some first team experience and it is great that it is at a massive club like Villa."

Had Owen decided against a move to Newcastle, Atletico Madrid's Fernando Torres has revealed he had no intention of moving to the Premiership.

Torres - who scored against Middlesbrough in a pre-season friendly at the Riversie Stadium - was the subject of an incredible £25.9m offer from Newcastle on deadline day.

That was purely a back-up plan in case the Owen deal broke down, but it has emerged Torres would have preferred to stay in Madrid anyway.

And the 21-year-old said last night: "Newcastle's offer came at the last minute when the Primera Liga had already started.

"The club didn't even listen to the offer.

"I know how important that money would have been for the club and for that reason I want to thank them for their effort in order to keep me at Atletico.

"The truth is that I'm very happy they didn't negotiate."

The fact that Torres has suggested he wants to remain in Spain will also annoy a number of other Premiership clubs.

Chelsea and Manchester United are just two who are huge admirers of his striking talent

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