DARREN AMBROSE has received the ultimate accolade from a former teammate, who has likened the youngster's abilities to those of England skipper David Beckham.

The assessment of Newcastle's latest acquisition comes from the player who knows better than most of the 19-year-old's qualities.

Ipswich Town midfielder Tommy Miller has played alongside Ambrose for the first team and reserves, and believes at around £1.5m the Magpies have landed one of the bargains of the season.

And former Hartlepool United star Miller has told Newcastle fans they have signed a rare talent with skills akin to the England captain.

"Newcastle are buying a player who's really got everything," said the 24-year-old, who moved to Ipswich for £800,000 from Victoria Park in the summer of 2001.

"He's a real talent. I rate him very highly. He has David Beckham-like ability. It may be a little early to give him that tag, but he has that sort of ability.

"He can hit a dead ball, take people on and whip a great ball in.

"But he's still young and still developing. He's only 19, but he's getting better and better."

In Miller's first season in East Anglia he had more than his fair share of reserve team football before forcing his way into the first-team reckoning towards the end of last season.

During that time Miller played alongside the then 17-year-old Ambrose in the championship-winning reserve side - a time where the Harlow-born schemer showed his flexibility.

"He can play anywhere in midfield but he's best on the right," said Miller.

"He goes past people for fun and he's capable of really putting some decent balls in. And he scores more than his fair share of goals.

"I played a lot with him in the reserves in the season we won the Premier Reserve League title.

"I was in and out of the first-team but he played more or less all season in that team. He was fantastic and one of the main reasons they won the title."

Ambrose has also proved he has an eye for goal with 11 in 37 appearances for the Ipswich first-team this season, and he already has a few allies on Tyneside.

Titus Bramble left the East Anglian club for Newcastle only last summer, and Kieron Dyer is still a regular back at Portman Road.

"Newcastle appear to be buying all the best players and in a couple of years they're going to have some side," added Miller.

"Luckily he already knows a couple of the lads at Newcastle especially Titus and Kieron."

Miller also had words of encouragement for Bramble, who endured a difficult start to his career with Newcastle before cementing his place in the side.

"Titus has proved himself as a quality defender," said Miller.

"He took a lot of stick early on and he had a lot of injuries but Sir Bobby Robson has stuck by him.

"He seems to think Jonathan Woodgate and Titus are the future of Newcastle's central defence."

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