Club future on hold while Milner eyes summer glory

The former Leeds United winger, who now plays for Aston Villa, has been the subject of a failed 20m bid by Manchester City.

Milner, 24, still has two years remaining on his current deal at Villa Park but is due to hold talks over an extension with manager Martin O'Neill.

"Do I expect to be at Villa next season? I don't know," said Milner. "I've worked as hard as I can and concentrated on club football while the season has been on.

"Now it has finished, I'm focusing on England – and that's the only thing I am focusing on.

"The speculation about my own future is not distracting. There are always going to be rumours about every player in every club when the transfer window opens.

"To be linked with any clubs is flattering but I'm just concentrating on England at this time.

"The season finished at Villa a week and a bit ago and we all said we would discuss it (my future) after the World Cup.

"I've enjoyed my time at Aston Villa, it's a good club, we've had a lot of success this season, came close in two competitions, and we are moving forward."

As a teenager, Milner was sold by Leeds in the wake of relegation from the Premier League and joined Newcastle United for 3.6m in the summer of 2004. He spent four seasons at

St James's Park before being sold to Villa for 12m.

England coach Capello has described Milner as "the future" and the Leeds-born player has made great strides this season after being switched into a central midfield role by Villa manager O'Neill.

The PFA Young Player Of The Year, however, is determined not to rest on his laurels.

He said: "It is nice to hear praise from any manager but it is then down to you to prove that correct and drive on again and try and improve again.

"You can't stand still especially with the competition that is about. You just want to become the best player possible and do as well as you can every time you train or play a game.

"Have I improved? You would like to think you've improved every season and I am lucky enough to be working at a good club with a great manager and staff and some very good players.

"There are some very good players here with England and, if you can't learn anything from playing with those sort of players, you are going to struggle.

"I'll just keep playing as well as I can and hopefully I will be able to do enough to force my way into the 23."

Milner is the most capped player for England at Under-21 level but knows the World Cup will be an extra step up.

He said: "The World Cup is the biggest competition you can play in. The whole world is watching.

"As a player, you want to play against the best players, test yourself, and play in the best tournaments, whether it's the Champions League or World Cups.

"Every player is desperate to get on the plane to South Africa and prove themselves on the biggest stage."

Milner is at his most threatening as an attack-minded midfielder but is ready to drop anchor and fill the void left by the more defensive-orientated Gareth Barry if his former Villa team-mate is ruled out through injury.

He said: "Whether there is a role for me in place of Gareth is down to the manager. If he asks me to play there, I'll be prepared to play there.

"I've played there most of the season. I'm happy there, there is no difference to playing there than with your club. I'll be happy to play there."