NEWCASTLE United have rallied round controversial star Kieron Dyer in a bid to keep his career on track.

Manager Bobby Robson yesterday revealed how the whole staff offered Dyer a shoulder to cry on to help him pull through his nine-month injury ordeal.

The £20m-rated midfielder is set to return to action in a reserve game at Bolton next Wednesday after fearing that his World Cup dreams had been ruined.

Dyer was carried from the training pitch in tears near the end of July while making an abortive comeback from double shin surgery.

But now he is poised to push for inclusion in England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's World Cup plans.

The Swede believes Dyer could provide the answer to his problem position on the left of midfield.

Former England boss Robson accepts that it has been a long, hard road for 22-year-old Dyer, who hasn't played since the 1-0 home defeat by Manchester City on February 24.

Robson said yesterday: "I think everybody here has helped keep him going.

"He's a young boy living away from home and there have been times when he has been very low.

"I've had to put my arm around his shoulder on numerous occasions, particularly when he came back and felt that tug in his leg and had to be carried off.

"That was hard for him, but our training and medical staff have been talking to him all the time and I think the dressing room banter with the players has helped as well.

"Now he's back in business. He's in full training, he's not feeling his leg at all and his confidence is growing by the day.

"It will be terrific to have him back because he's a special player and it has been a dreadfully long time out for the boy.

"I intend to play him at Bolton and he could even be a sub at Ipswich next weekend.

"Then it would be a case of pencilling him in for a possible start against Blackburn in a fortnight."

Eriksson has kept in constant contact with Robson over Dyer's progress and has already hinted he will be given every opportunity to break into his squad for South Korea and Japan next summer.

Robson added: "Kieron naturally has the World Cup in his thoughts and the only way for him is to play to the best of his ability in the Premiership.

"It's going to be tough for him to get into the England team, but he is capable of doing it.

"It will take him two or three weeks to get his rhythm right and his pace back, but he is such a naturally fit guy he will adapt quite easily."

Dyer was disciplined by Robson and chairman Freddy Shepherd last month when he was one of four Newcastle players who failed to attend a dinner in honour of club president Sir John Hall during a training trip to Spain.

But Dyer has been boosted by the goodwill and letters of support from Newcastle fans.

"I want everybody to know I'm as keen to get back in the team as they are to see me there,'' he said.

"If I play well for Newcastle I am confident I will get my chance for England and then it is up to me to do the business.

"There are friendlies against Holland and Italy next year and I want to be involved.

"That's what has been going through my mind while I have been injured.

"But my number one priority is to help Newcastle United do even better."

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