Butt double wins over Toon Army

During the final throes of England's 2006 World Cup campaign, Nicky Butt could be found topping up his fitness on a deserted beach 10 miles outside Newcastle.

Butt was singled out by Pele, no less, as the most impressive defensive midfielder in Japan and South Korea in 2002. Four years later, he cannot be sure of a place on the bench at a mid-table Premiership club.

After moving to Newcastle in the summer of 2004, Butt suffered a series of injuries and a stark loss of form. In 2005 he was vilified by Magpies supporters when he joked with his former Manchester United colleagues during a humiliating FA Cup semi-final defeat. He left the Millennium Stadium arm in arm with Sir Alex Ferguson.

Butt was sent to Birmingham City last season but a disastrous loan spell ended with relegation and a return to Tyneside. Against Villarreal on Saturday the midfielder's arrival as a second-half substitute was greeted with boos.

Butt, however, scored two goals in two minutes as Glenn Roeder's side scraped a 3-3 draw. The watching England manager, Steve McClaren, saw Butt leave the field to cheers rather than jeers.

However, it was the foresight and accuracy of the former Leeds United midfielder James Milner which provided McClaren with most food for thought. With Scott Parker subdued, Milner stole the show with a series of biting tackles and pinpoint crosses.

In Butt, Parker and Milner, McClaren may have been given a glimpse of England's past, present and future. Roeder, though, would like to put pressure on all three and a move for Real Madrid's Thomas Gravesen is expected this week.