Newcastle United received a boost on the fitness front as an X-ray showed that James Milner had not broken any bone when he suffered a foot injury at Liverpool at the weekend.

The England U-21 international winger is now aiming to recover in time for next Monday's crucial trip to Birmingham City where both sides will be fighting to avoid relegation.

United physio Derek Wright said on the club’s official website: "James had an X-ray after the match on Saturday and, fortunately, this showed there was no break and no damage to the metatarsal.

"But his foot is badly bruised and he will have a scan in the next 48 hours which will give us a more thorough investigation.

"We put him on crutches to go home to Newcastle so that there was no weight going on the injury, but he has always been a quick healer in the past and he has the desire to play.

"And while injuries of this type can keep some players out for a couple of weeks, we are hoping that he will be OK for Birmingham next Monday night."

On goalkeeper Shay Given, who is troubled by a groin problem, Wright added: "Shay has been encouraged by what the specialist told him in Belgium and he is hoping to start his rehab with a bit of light training this week, and we will just have to see how he goes."