KIERON DYER is revelling in his new role as captain of Newcastle United, according to manager Sir Bobby Robson.

The dynamic midfielder wore the captain's armband in the Magpies' 1-0 over Birmingham City last weekend, a win that secured the club's place in the Champions League again next season.

And with experienced pair Alan Shearer and Gary Speed both missing for the final match of the campaign at relegated West Bromwich Albion on Sunday, Dyer will again lead Newcastle out.

Dyer's performance against Birmingham last Saturday has led to praise from Robson, who believes the England international relishes the extra responsibility.

The Newcastle boss said: "We're just giving him a trial. He responds to it, I'll tell you that. He likes it.

"It makes him a bit more responsive on his defensive duties, I think, knowing that he's leading the side. In that sense it's quite a good choice."

Young midfielder Darren Ambrose will taste Premiership action for the first time at the Hawthorns on Sunday.

Ambrose has not kicked a ball for the first team since his £1.5m move from Ipswich Town in March.

But the 19-year-old is expected to be named on the bench against West Brom after playing for the reserves on three occasions since arriving.

And Robson is keen to give Ambrose some action on the top-flight stage before the season finishes, he said: "We will be looking to get him on. He has had to wait, but he looks to have everything. He needs time and he needs patience."

Defender Jonathan Woodgate is almost certainly ruled out after undergoing a scan on his troublesome knee injury.

Woodgate has struggled with the problem since having to go off in the defeat to Aston Villa and the former Leeds United favourite has had it seen to.

Fellow centre-back Andy O'Brien is also likely to be ruled out with the broken nose he suffered two weeks ago.

The Irishman is due to go in for an operation on Monday and Robson may decide not to take a gamble.

Newcastle have already secured third place and Champions League football, while the Baggies have been condemned to life in the Nationwide League.

And Robson said: "We will wait and see what his nose is like before deciding if he's fit enough to play.

"We don't want to play him if it's not OK because it could mean that playing him will put the operation in doubt."

If O'Brien fails to make the trip to the Midlands, Robson is expected to name Steve Caldwell and Titus Bramble at the heart of the defence.

Newcastle are already without Gary Speed, Clarence Acuna, Olivier Bernard and Alan Shearer through injury and Craig Bellamy is suspended. Laurent Robert is still doubtful with a knee injury.

Shola Ameobi and Lomana LuaLua are set to start up front, with teenage striker Michael Chopra hoping to win a call-up to the bench.

* The Football Association have confirmed their decision not to take up tickets for England's Euro 2004 qualifier in Turkey and revealed that they are considering a similar move for the earlier game in Macedonia.

The FA had been worried about the safety of England fans at the qualifier in Turkey in October, due to the past instances of trouble between fans of the two countries, as well as the tension surrounding what will be the final game of the group.

Especially given the past behaviour of England fans on the road and the fact that Macedonia is a Muslim country, they have now also been forced to at least consider the situation for the game there in September in the wake of the war in Iraq.

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