With David Beckham's World Cup dream over, there appears to be only one man who can fill his boots.

Villa wing wonder James Milner is the most viable contender to plug the gap left by Becks because he is the form player right now.

Milner has been brilliant throughout this campaign and were the season to end now he would easily claim the Claret and Blue player of the year award.

He has shone in a number of roles and, much like Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney, he is usually the best player on the park wherever he plays.

Actually, if he went in goal he would probably have a good chance of claiming the man of the match gong.

The former Leeds United youngster is living up to the promise that he showed when he was at Elland Road during the early years of his career.

At the time, he was pinpointed as one of the country's bright young hopes. He was even given a place alongside Rooney in the 'ones to watch' list.

Now he is coming good. Really good, in fact.

The headline 'Magic Milner' has been used more than once on the official Villa website this season as the midfield maestro has excelled.

He has probably played his best football in the centre of midfield and that is something for England boss Fabio Capello to think about if his first choice partnership of Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry fails to fire.

Tenacious

With the form Milner is in he has to be accommodated somewhere...anywhere and so, cue Becks. The experienced creator of so many international goals and the winner of so many caps, has bowed out perhaps for the final time.

And that leaves the door open for the next generation.

The 24-year-old Milner fits the bill and he is not just one for the future, he is one for now.

He doesn't necessarily have the ability to be better than Beckham but a comparison is unfair in any case.

The tenacious talent is a good ball winner and, like Becks, he has desire by the bucketload.

He is also great at dead-ball situations and can chip in with a few goals. Actually, hold on, he does sound a bit like his probable predecessor.

But, in all seriousness, if Capello harbours any hopes of winning the biggest tournament in sport in South Africa this summer then Milner is a must-have.

But he must not be used as a utility man. He should be given a chance in the warm up games against Mexico and Japan to stake his claim for the right wing slot.

And if he achieves consistency in the build up then Milner could just be a consistent influence in the World Cup itself.