ROBERT LEE has been reduced to training with the kids again at Newcastle - but it's nothing sinister.

Former England midfielder Lee, who had a shock transfer request rejected just over two weeks ago, trained with United's youngsters on Tuesday in an echo of his controversial banishment by Ruud Gullit two years ago.

The Dutchman stripped the long-serving Lee of his squad number and humiliatingly told him to train with the Magpies' trainees.

But Lee, now at loggerheads with United over their refusal to open talks about a new contract, only joined the juniors' session this week because the first-team squad were on a day off.

Lee has missed United's last two games - the 2-0 home defeat by Tottenham and the 3-1 victory at Everton - with a virus and back trouble, but was training again with his senior colleagues yesterday.

The 35-year-old, who celebrated his testimonial in the summer, last week reacted angrily to suggestions that his illness, just five days after his transfer demand was turned down, was one of convenience.

Eyebrows were raised once more when he failed to appear at Goodison Park on Saturday, but it transpired he had been forced to withdraw from training 24 hours earlier on his first day back with his teammates.

However, with Lee now back in the swing, manager Bobby Robson may face a selection poser for this Saturday's visit of Aston Villa, especially as Clarence Acuna performed so well and got among the goals against Everton.

Meanwhile, midfielder Kieron Dyer has revealed he is days away from a long-awaited return to full training.

As revealed in Northern Echo Sport yesterday, Dyer and fellow long-term injury victim Carl Cort are on course to make their comebacks in under a month's time.

And England international Dyer, sidelined for eight months with shin problems, yesterday promised: "I'll be a better player when I get back.

"I've been out for a long time, but I've watched a lot of matches from the stands and I've seen things which will help both me and the team when I return.''

l West Brom boss Gary Megson wants to take United frontman Lomana Lualua on loan.

Former Newcastle midfielder Megson has turned his attention to Lualua after being priced out of the running for Sunderland striker Danny Dichio.

But Bobby Robson, who signed 20-year-old Lualua from Colchester last year in a deal ultimately worth £2.25m, will be reluctant to let him leave for any length of time