James Milner will not be rushed back to action in Sunday’s derby against Sunderland at St James’ Park, according to Newcastle United boss Kevin Keegan.

The 22-year-old winger, who had scored the Magpies’ equaliser in the 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light in the reverse fixture, had suffered a foot injury in the defeat away to Liverpool early last month.

"James is doing well, but we are going to err on the side of caution and not rush him back and not involve him on Sunday,” Keegan said in the Gazette.

"But I fully expect he'll be with us when we go to West Ham next weekend."