UEFA Cup glory is currently more important to Kieron Dyer than securing Champions League football with Newcastle United next season.

The Magpies' midfielder would love to appear on the biggest stage in European club football.

But with Sir Bobby Robson's men within touching distance of landing Newcastle's first silverware since winning the 1969 Fairs Cup, Dyer is desperate to get his hands on the trophy.

United face Marseille in France tomorrow night for a place in the final of the UEFA Cup.

With the sides level going into the second leg, after a goalless draw at St. James' Park last month, victory is a distinct possibility.

United have travelled much better in Europe this season than in the Premiership.

Their shocking away form in the league has seen them win just twice all season - most recently in October.

So far their European adventure has seen them win 1-0 at Partizan Belgrade in a Champions League qualifier and then secure victories at NAC Breda (1-0), Basel (3-2) and Real Mallorca (3-0) in the UEFA Cup.

On the home front, United are battling with Liverpool and Aston Villa to finish fourth in the Premiership and grab a share of the untold riches on offer in the Champions League.

Whether or not they do is likely to come down to the last game of the season when the Magpies visit Anfield.

But Dyer, who will almost certainly miss this week's game as he battles back from a hamstring injury, has his eye on only one prize.

"Every player wants to win major trophies in their career and I think the fans have been starved of silverware for too long," he said. "They want us to win something as well, so at the moment I would take the UEFA Cup over the Champions League."

Dyer is unlikely to play a part in this weekend's game with Wolves, and while he hopes to be available for the final two games of the season against Southampton and Liverpool, it might be too much to expect him to play a major role.

If that is the case then his first full 90 minutes of action might be on May 19 in Gothenburg, Sweden, for the UEFA Cup final, assuming United get there.

Last week he began running for the first time since the injury, initially collected in April, flared up again after the goalless draw at Aston Villa and things are looking up.

"After the Villa game I knew I had a problem and when the scan showed I had a tear, obviously, I was very disappointed," he said.

"But I am a quick healer and I have started to run . . . and I think it's just a matter of time before I am back playing again this season.

"Obviously, with injuries they try to put a timescale on them but people's bodies are different and I am a quick healer.

"So, like I say, I honestly believe I will be back before the end of the season."

Referring to Marseille, he added: "I don't think I will be ready for that but, like I said, if I keep responding to treatment you never know, fingers crossed.

"I think the more realistic games will be the Southampton and Liverpool games and, hopefully, I will have the UEFA Cup final to look forward to.

"It's all ifs and buts, and not being disrespectful to Marseille, I think they are very beatable.

"I think we should have beaten them at St. James' Park and it was very important that they didn't get an away goal.

"If we can get a goal out there I am very confident that we will go through."

l Kieron Dyer was speaking as part of Carlsberg's 'Your Country Needs You' campaign.

Carlsberg is the official beer of the England Team and the company is urging everyone to unite behind the side this summer at the European Championships.