Former Newcastle United scout Paul Montgomery has spoken of James Milner's struggles with the Magpies.

Milner is now one of the most decorated players in the game, thanks to his time with Manchester City and Liverpool.

But Montgomery recalled to the Evening Chronicle: "Bob (Sir Bobby Robson) rang me and said 'Leeds have got a firesale, any players we can get?'

"I told him 'no, we can't sign any' that was because they had some big-name players that would have cost a bit - even in a firesale.

"But I told Bobby that there was one player he might be able to sneak out - the young boy, Milner who plays up-front.

"I always got the feeling that some didn't really fancy him - there was negativity over his end product.

"But for me, what a player.

"Every time I went up to the training ground, he was on the pitch, practising and practising.

"Even when I went down to Villa for a behind closed doors game, who was last off the pitch? It was Milner again.

"He just had an amazing attitude, just unbelievable."