HE only turned 21 on Thursday, but James Milner is already revelling in his new-found senior status.

At the start of the season, the former Leeds midfielder justifiably considered himself to be one of the youngsters in the Newcastle squad despite boasting more than 60 Premiership starts.

Since then, though, a succession of long-term lay-offs have seen the average age of the Magpies team plummet, with the likes of David Edgar and Paul Huntington suddenly forcing their way into the first team.

As a result, Milner has found himself chaperoning the next generation of Newcastle stars and, while some of his contemporaries continue to feel their way into the professional game, the England Under-21 international already considers himself to be something of a veteran.

"Your role tends to change as you get older," said Milner, who became the youngest goalscorer in Premiership history when he scored against Sunderland in December 2002. "And even though I'm still quite young, mine has already altered.

"I started when I was 16 so I've been around for a bit now, and it's important that players like me help when the younger lads need a bit of advice.

"Every young player will have a different experience in terms of the situation they find themselves in, but it's good to pass on whatever you've learnt."

Prior to this season, Shola Ameobi was the last academy product to hold down a regular place in Newcastle's first team.

But with Steven Taylor and Peter Ramage having been virtual ever-presents since mid-November, and with Edgar and Huntington beginning to make an impression of their own, the Magpies' production line is finally cranking into action.

"Hopefully, it will save Newcastle having to go out and spend £10m on a player," said Milner.

"Our injuries are well into double figures now and that's obviously a massive challenge. But it's good for the younger players to be able to come in and stake a claim for a place of their own."

Youthful exuberance helped Newcastle claim a 2-2 draw with Manchester United on New Year's Day, but this afternoon's FA Cup clash with Birmingham is likely to require the club's few remaining senior players to stand up to be counted.

The Blues are currently riding high at the top of the Championship table and, with a fourth-round place at stake, Kieron Dyer is calling upon his fellow elder statesman to improve on their showing against United.

"Our younger players bailed us out against Manchester United, in a way," admitted Dyer. "From an attacking point of view, all the senior players didn't perform anywhere near how we're capable of performing.

"We can't keep on relying on the youngsters, and the senior players that are playing must play to full capacity. If we do that, we'll be in the hat for the next round."

Glenn Roeder expects the Football Association to clear Emre following allegations of racial abuse.

The Turkey international was accused of making racial comments to Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard during the Magpies' 3-0 defeat at Goodison Park on December 30.

But with Everton officials reluctant to take things further, Roeder insists it is time for the matter to be put to bed.

"The matter is closed," he said. "There is no charge to be answered and Everton are comfortable with that as well.

"It is a closed matter now as far as I am concerned.

"It has really bothered Emre, as you can imagine.

"We have black players in the team and in the squad and we are all in together. We are all the same."

Newcastle have been informed by UEFA that their UEFA Cup first leg tie in Belgium with Zulte Waregem will be played at the Jules Otten Stadium in Ghent on Thursday, February 15. The second leg will staged at St James' Park on Thursday, February 22.