DEFIANT Kieron Dyer has been set a weekend deadline to rescue his World Cup dream.

The Newcastle United midfielder is refusing to give up the fight as he undergoes intensive treatment on the knee ligament injury he suffered when he was the victim of a vicious tackle by Southampton defender Tahar El Khalej.

United's medical team are working flat out on Dyer after England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said: "We will check on Kieron on Friday or Saturday just in case he makes a miraculous recovery.''

Eriksson, who flew to Dubai with his injury-depleted squad yesterday to begin the build-up to the World Cup finals in the Far East, has already effectively ruled Dyer out.

But the 23-year-old, considering legal action against El Khalej and Southampton over a challenge which could also cost him millions in potential endorsements, was yesterday determined to beat the odds.

"I'm still hopeful and I've not given up on going to the World Cup,'' declared Dyer, who has been dogged by injuries for over a year.

"At the moment, we do not really know the full diagnosis and extent of the injury. I have to stay positive, but if you were to ask me whether I was a bit low, that would be an understatement.

"I can't believe I've got another injury after all the problems I have had. But this is the story of my life at the moment.''

Moroccan El Khalej, who has figured in two World Cups, yesterday sent a hand written letter to Dyer expressing his "sincere apologies''.

But that cut no ice with Dyer. "Let's just say I'm not too happy,'' he said. "He was totally out of order, the ball had gone and he had no intention, or chance, of playing it.

"I just don't know how someone could do that to a fellow professional.''

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd backed Dyer's desperate battle - and Bobby Robson against claims that the manager should have rested him for Saturday's 3-1 defeat at St. Mary's in the final game of the season.

"Kieron is back with us and we will do everything we can to get him fit,'' said Shepherd.

"Obviously we know it's a long shot but we are ready to give it a go.

"Bobby was 100 per cent right to play Kieron. First and foremost he's a Newcastle player.

"He's been out injured so much that he needed the match practice."

Robson said: ''I have spoken to him very early this morning - he had a good night and there's not much swelling.

''He's very comfortable and he's slightly more hopeful today than he was last night.''

Meanwhile, angry Newcastle officials yesterday hit back at goalkeeper Shay Given following suggestions that they had stalled over agreement of a new five-year contract.

The club released a terse statement, saying: "Expressions of frustration attributed to Shay Given on Saturday left Newcastle United officials bemused, since it is the club, and not Shay Given, waiting for a response on the goalkeeper's new contract.

"A suggestion in the press that he is irritated by the delay has angered the club, who have been relentless in their pursuit of the keeper's signature on a new five-year contract for several months, without a single clue from Given as to his intentions for the future.''

United's chief operating officer Russell Cushing said: "There is obviously a breakdown in communications between Shay and his agent.

"The agent was in negotiations with the club in the early part of the year and again as recently as a month ago.

"We have made the player an excellent offer. It was disappointing to read comments from Shay suggesting the opposite. An outburst of this nature appears to be completely out of character.

"As far as we are concerned he can come and sign today - he really needs to make his position clear to the club so the manager can plan for the very important season ahead.

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