Boro boss Gareth Southgate is a long-standing admirer of Milner and views him as a suitable alternative to O'Neil on the right wing if the latter's situation fails to improve.Southgate: "We have to start looking to bring in some young players we can develop.
"We never seem to be in that position as a club to be able to develop from within, but we have never invested in young players who you take a chance on and hope will come through."
"My ideal (with O'Neil) is that we get everything settled and he is with us because he can improve.
"We definitely want to keep him."
Milner and Chelsea's Steve Sidwell are two players very much in his plans.