THE confusing saga surrounding James Milner's future at Newcastle United could be finally resolved today.

Manager Glenn Roeder is meeting with chairman Freddy Shepherd this afternoon to discuss plans for next season.

The future of several United stars will be on the agenda as the pair deliberate the best way to generate funds for a swoop in the transfer market. Milner's availability for transfer will be their No 1 priority.

Former boss Graeme Souness spent over £50m during his 18 months in charge at St James' Park and it is no secret that Roeder will have nothing like that to spend.

With Jean Alain Boumsong and Albert Luque certain to leave, Roeder could generate further funds by allowing Milner to join Aston Villa.

Milner was the makeweight in Nolberto Solano's £1.5m return to Tyneside last August and spent the season on loan at Villa Park.

The 20-year-old winger has made it known that he would like to remain at Villa, but has also admitted he would be more than happy to return to St James'.

United will want to recoup the £3.6m they paid Leeds United for his services two years ago.

"James Milner has had a very good season at Villa and has impressed David O'Leary," said Roeder. "But I will be sitting down with the chairman to discuss the whole squad, and that will include discussing James' future.

"We don't have to rush into making a decision."

O'Leary is still keen to push through the signature of Milner, who made 33 appearances for the Villains, this weekend despite his own future hanging in the balance.

The Villa boss is under pressure from chairman Doug Ellis after a poor Premier League campaign, which saw them finish a lowly 16th, and from home supporters after O'Leary branded some fans fickle.

But the Irishman wasn't being as coy as his Newcastle counterpart when discussing the possibility of Milner's move to the Midlands.

"I don't think we've made a secret of the fact that we want James to stay here next season," said O'Leary. "He has done very well for us and there's plenty more to come from him.

"The bit of money we have to spend should secure a deal for James and that's what we're looking to do as quickly as possible. Newcastle want to do a deal and so do we.

"I'll be delighted if we secure him for the fans, for the future. He fits the bill of the sort of young ambitious player I want to build the side around.

"We've spoken to Newcastle about it and we know the fee, so hopefully a deal can be done. I know James is a young boy who wants to play for this football club.

"He would sign today if we could reach an agreement with Newcastle. He wants to sign and hopefully we'll have some good news on that soon."