SIR BOBBY ROBSON has pleaded with the Leeds hate mob to lay off Lee Bowyer when Newcastle arrive for tomorrow's highly-charged Premiership opener.

Bowyer endured a torrent of abuse at Elland Road in February on his first return to his former club with West Ham.

Leeds won 1-0, Bowyer was booked, and the home faithful cried "scum'' and "Judas''.

The fans' fury was fuelled by Bowyer's refusal to sign a new contract after the collapse of his £9m move to Liverpool last summer - in the knowledge that he was on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Eventually, Leeds were forced to let Bowyer join the Hammers - his boyhood heroes - for a knockdown fee in the new year, rather than lose him for nothing.

All this after Leeds had offered unswerving support to Bowyer when he stood trial, alongside then-Leeds teammate Jonathan Woodgate, over an assault on an Asian student. Bowyer was cleared of all charges, while Woodgate was convicted of affray.

But both are now rebuilding their careers with Newcastle, where former England boss Robson is overseeing their footballing rehabilitation.

Robson was alarmed by the adverse crowd reaction towards Bowyer on the Magpies' pre-season trip to Malaysia, and in a friendly match at Sheffield Wednesday.

Woodgate, who Leeds sold to Newcastle for £9m in January to ease crippling debts, is going back to Elland Road for the first time and can expect a warmer welcome than Bowyer.

Robson admitted: "It's going to be an interesting day for them, but I've spoken to them and they are looking forward to going back - they'll be fine.

"Those two players loved Leeds. They gave loyal service and loved the club, but circumstances have changed.

"Now they are here and I just hope the Leeds fans remember the time they gave to that club. I hope the atmosphere is conducive to a sporting scenario.

"I think a lot of people have forgotten about what has happened in the past - I certainly don't think about it.''

Robson, who signed Bowyer in May, is set to hand the midfielder his Premiership debut for Newcastle at the expense of Nolberto Solano.

The Peruvian was Newcastle's match-winner in their Champions League qualifying victory away to Partizan Belgrade on Wednesday.

But his decision to play for his country against Mexico in the United States next week has angered Robson and effectively rules him out of the confrontation with Manchester United at St James' Park a week today.

Robson believes the generosity of the Newcastle fans has fortified Bowyer in his fight against the boo boys.

"Lee has settled in well here,'' said Robson. "He's a quiet lad - you don't know he's in the place, except on the training ground.

"He needed a change and I think he'll be very happy and content, and do well here.

"When he played against Bayern Munich here the other week, he got a reception that was the exact opposite of what happened at Sheffield Wednesday. It just lightened his life and did him a lot of good.''

Newcastle skipper Alan Shearer is backing Bowyer and Woodgate to establish themselves in the England set-up.

Shearer said: "Lee played for England last season, so he obviously hasn't done too much wrong on the football field.

"What he needs now is a settled run in the side here to get himself to the forefront of the game again and back in the England side. Lee on a free transfer was a great addition to our squad.

"I don't know what reception he and Jonathan will get at Leeds; one might get a better one than the other.

"But it won't faze them. They're strong characters with what they've gone through.''

Shearer is adamant that signing Woodgate represents better value for money than the £29m Manchester United invested in Rio Ferdinand, the Teessider's former central defensive partner at Leeds.

"Jonathan has been a magnificent buy,'' declared Shearer. "I'm a big fan of Rio, but when you look at what Man. United paid for him, and what we paid for Jonathan, even £20m would have been a snip.

"It won't be long before he's back in the England team; not squad, but team.''

Robson feels that 23-year-old Woodgate has the makings of being Shearer's successor as Newcastle captain.

"It's possible,'' said Robson. "He's a man of great stature as a player.

"He's a commanding player and he's going to have very few ordinary games.

"Tiger Woods has very few ordinary games of golf because he's got so much going for him, and Jonathan is the same as a footballer.''