NEWCASTLE UNITED arrive in Malaysia this morning ahead of the club's pre-season Asia Cup exploits.

And Magpies boss Sir Bobby Robson will touch down in the Far East fresh in the knowledge that Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly planning a raid for his England midfielder Kieron Dyer.

The £20m-rated star is thought to be next on big-spending Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich's shopping-list along with teammate Jermaine Jenas, although the new Chelsea owner is understood to want Old Trafford's Juan Sebastian Veron first.

But Sir Alex Ferguson, who has been a keen admirer of Dyer's talents for over two years, is also thought to be planning a raid after failing to secure the services of primary target Ronaldinho and the sale of David Beckham to Real Madrid.

Ferguson is desperate to snap up a big money buy before the start of the new Premiership season next month and Dyer, as well as £17m-rated Blackburn winger Damien Duff, both fit the bill.

However, should either Chelsea or Man. United swoop for Newcastle's young England stars - Dyer or Jenas - then Robson will be keen to rebuff any approach.

The 70-year-old Magpies chief is determined to deliver the Premiership title to St. James' Park before he finally draws a close to his long and successful career.

And he sees both Jenas and Dyer as two of his prize assets, so he will be reluctant to see either player leave Tyneside.

Newcastle are due to arrive in Malaysia at 10am this morning and, ironically, one of the club's opponents in the four-team competition could be Chelsea.

Robson's men take on Birmingham City on Thursday and 24 hours later the Londoners face the Malaysian national team.

Then on Sunday the winners of each match will take each other on in a final.

Newcastle squad in Malaysia: Given, Harper, Ambrose, Ameobi, Bellamy, Bernard, Bowyer, Bramble, S Caldwell, Chopra, Cort, Dyer, Griffin, Hughes, Jenas, O'Brien, Robert, Shearer, Solano, Speed, Viana, Woodgate.

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