Bowyer deal is a steal for Sir Bobby

Robson, speaking in Malaysia ahead of his side's Asia Cup clash with Birmingham in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow, landed Bowyer on a free transfer at the end of his short-term deal with relegated West Ham.

The Magpies' boss was quick to admit that midfielder Bowyer, acquitted on all charges over an assault on an Asian student in Leeds three years ago, comes with a bit of "baggage''.

But Robson, who has this summer issued a new strict code of discipline to all his players, reckons he can handle Bowyer and fellow Newcastle hot-head Craig Bellamy.

Robson said: "In Bowyer we got a player who cost us absolutely nothing. It's only 16 months since he was going to Liverpool in a £9m deal, but he pulled out of the transfer.

"Liverpool were quite prepared to pay £9m for him, so he's a great steal for us.

"He's a very good player and he didn't cost us a coin.''

Wales striker Bellamy, dogged by disciplinary problems on the field last season, appeared in court in Cardiff almost a fortnight ago to deny two charges of racially aggravated behaviour at a nightclub in his home city. The case has been adjourned to next month.

But Robson yesterday attempted to make light of his players' bad-boy image.

"Bowyer and Bellamy are going to live with me - I don't know where my wife is going to go - but I think that will be sufficient,'' joked Robson. ''What problems Craig Bellamy may or may not have off the pitch have not affected what he has been doing on it.

''Once we get on the training ground, nothing fazes him and that has certainly been the case since we came out to Asia.

''And last week, in our behind-closed-doors match at Doncaster, Bellamy made our goals for Gary Speed and Kieron Dyer with two passes which had to be seen to be believed.''

Meanwhile, Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd attended a gala dinner in Kuala Lumpur last night, bracing himself for an approach for Dyer from Chelsea's new billionaire owner Roman Abramovich.

The way appears to be clear for the Londoners to move in for Dyer after Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insisted he is no longer interested in the England midfielder.

Newcastle have placed a £25m price tag on Dyer after Chelsea made tentative initial enquiries about his availability.

Now Abramovich, who has already committed around £37m to deals for Damien Duff, Wayne Bridge, Geremi and Glen Johnson, could be ready to test Newcastle's resolve to hold on to 24-year-old Dyer.

While Newcastle's asking price would prove prohibitive for most, free-spending Abramovich has the financial wherewithal to tempt them.

Chelsea, like the Magpies, are in Malaysia for the inaugural Asia Cup, and if there is to be any move for Dyer, they have the ideal opportunity.

That would leave Newcastle with a huge decision to make, but it is one which Mark Jensen, editor of fanzine The Mag, believes would be answered in the negative.

''I'd certainly hate to see Newcastle sell any player who can make the difference, and Kieron Dyer and Craig Bellamy fall into that category,'' he said.

''Dyer had injuries last year and at times was a bit hit-and-miss, but like Bellamy - when he's firing - he's pretty unstoppable and they both have the thing that all other players hate - pace.

''I'm not saying he's indispensable and certainly I would put him behind Jermaine Jenas, who has made such great strides, and Bellamy in terms of the last player I would sell.

''Up to a point, every player has his price, but I would find it amazing if they did sell Dyer.

"Newcastle have gone to great lengths to make sure the likes of Dyer and Bellamy have contracts that are up to date, so they don't get into the kind of problems Leeds had with Harry Kewell.''