SIR BOBBY ROBSON is asking Kieron Dyer to save Newcastle a fortune in the transfer market by acting as Alan Shearer's striking sidekick.

Dyer, who scored twice in the Magpies' impressive 3-0 FA Cup third-round victory at Southampton on Saturday, will again partner Shearer in tonight's home game against Leeds and in Sunday's clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Midfielder Dyer has emerged as the man most likely to fill the gap left by injuries to Craig Bellamy and Shola Ameobi, a void that has tempted Robson to splash out on a new foil for skipper Shearer.

Robson's faith in Dyer throws into doubt the prospect of Leeds' £8m-rated striker Alan Smith moving to Tyneside - at least during the transfer window.

Robson said yesterday: "If you went out and bought a player and he played as Kieron did at Southampton, you'd say: 'Haven't we bought well? We've just paid £10m for somebody and he's dynamite.'

"Of course, it's only one game and I need to look at him again against Leeds, and how he shapes up against Rio Ferdinand and Mikael Silvestre at Manchester United.

"But Kieron likes it up front because he doesn't have to go back and forward on 50-yard runs. He's an attacking player, his game's built on speed and he has masses of energy to pressurise defences.

"I've been playing him up front in training, and as long as we don't miss out in midfield he will give us some breathing space while we have strikers out.

"Bellamy will be back on the pitch in five weeks and Shola should be back in a fortnight. I also like young Michael Chopra.

"But if Kieron does brilliantly, the others will have a fight on their hands."

Robson could make a loan approach for Leeds' former Sunderland striker Michael Bridges, but the Newcastle boss is pinning his hopes on Dyer, whose last two Premiership goals came in the 3-0 win at Elland Road nearly 11 months ago.

Robson said: "Leeds lived the dream, but when you speculate to accumulate and it doesn't work out, you go into administration. It's a delicate line.''

Defender Jonathan Woodgate, who joined Newcastle from Leeds for £9m almost a year ago, faces his former club with Robson revealing: "He's sad over what has happened there, but he said he made the right move at the right time and he's happy.''

Newcastle, who have lost only one of their last nine games in all competitions, are looking to rekindle their claims to fourth spot in the Premiership and a route back into the Champions League.

Robson said: "We are playing for fourth place. If we can play better in the second half of the season than the first, we'll finish fourth."

Jermaine Jenas has just passed his driving test - and is ready to help steer the Magpies back on the road to glory.

The England midfielder, 21 next month, is aiming to hit the highway that leads to the Champions League by rediscovering the goal touch that underlined his potential last season.

When he scored in the disastrous FA Cup defeat at Wolves just over a year ago, it was Jenas' first goal in 36 appearances for Newcastle following his £5m arrival from Nottingham Forest.

He enjoyed a spree of four goals in five games before finishing the season with seven.

But the goals have dried up again - Jenas hasn't registered since the final game of last season - and he is desperate to atone. Jenas said: "It all came right for me in the second half of last season and hopefully I can go on a little goal run again.

"Once I get the first one I think I'll get a few. I wanted to score at Southampton, but Kieron nipped in twice and he has been giving me stick ever since.

"It was good to have Kieron up front with his pace, and it was good for him to get two goals, but I want to catch him up.''

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd has been applauded for his end-of-year swipe at the players and management, with many fans claiming it as the reason behind the Southampton success.

Jenas said: "We all wanted to put things right for ourselves after losing our last home game against Blackburn. Getting into the top four is still our No 1 target and it will be a major disappointment if we don't."

Jenas, involved in every Newcastle game this season, said: "I'm pleased the gaffer has stuck by me. I admit my form has been up and down, but it has started to pick up again."

l Newcastle's academy youth team today face Panathinaikos in the final of the Napoli International Cup.