Milligan appeared on his way out of Sydney after he fled Australia following his successful spell with the Socceroos at the Asian Cup.

He went AWOL to trial with French club Metz but the deal fell through when he found out he was only wanted as a back-up for injured first team regulars.

He came back to Sydney but was this month rumoured to be a target for former team mate David Carney's new club, Sheffield United.

Blades boss Bryan Robson admitted the club were looking at stars Down Under and had drawn up a shortlist - but denied Milligan was on it.

Now the star defender's agent has moved to end the speculation and said Milligan will be sticking with Sydney until at least the end of the season.

Agent Richard Briggs has insisted the 22-year-old will be staying down under for the foreseeable future.

"He won't be going anywhere at this stage," he said. "For a start, he does not have a British passport and that's the problem for a lot of the lads in the A-League.

"There is of course the opportunity to get around things by getting a club in Europe, the route other Australians have taken.

"But that does not appeal."

He added: "Our main focus is to keep him settled for at least the next three to four months. He has a contract with Sydney FC and that's where things stand."