NEWCASTLE UNITED'S manager and captain have joined forces to back Lee Bowyer's bid to make amends for past mistakes at St James' Park.

Bowyer had looked set to move this summer after chairman Freddy Shepherd granted the player permission to speak to Birmingham City and Charlton.

But the tenacious midfielder revealed last week that he intends to stay at Newcastle, despite still feeling a little frustrated by the way the club blamed him for his on-field bust-up with Kieron Dyer last season.

Nevertheless Magpies' boss Graeme Souness and skipper Alan Shearer have been fulsome in their praise for Bowyer's attitude since returning to pre-season training on Tyneside.

And, although playing against lowly opposition, it was Bowyer who looked most keen to impress in the win over Dubnica on Saturday as he covered the majority of the pitch with his running.

"I have never wanted Lee Bowyer to leave. Since I have been here I know I have enjoyed working with him. He has a right go in training every day," said Souness, whose side face Deportivo La Coruna in the Intertoto Cup semi-final first leg in Spain this Wednesday.

"I know he has been involved in situations off the field before, and last year on the field, but he is a good lad to work with. He is one of those players that really would play for nothing.

"I spoke to George Graham and David O'Leary (former Leeds managers) about him and they both said the same thing. He is a great lad, he just needs to not get involved in daft things. A dream to work with.

"He sets the tone in training with his work ethic. He has tarnished his reputation but as a lad he is great to work with."

Striker Shearer, whose two goals on Saturday ensured progress, paid just as many compliments to Bowyer. "Lee has been the first to put his hands up but in pre-season he has shown a tremendous attitude and has shown everyone that he wants to stay here. He doesn't want to go anywhere else. If we can keep hold of him we will benefit as a team, without a doubt."

Souness hopes to land at least two new signings this week and there is a strong chance that could grow to three.

Having failed with bids for Nicolas Anelka and Luis Boa Morte, Newcastle are expected to go in with improved offers.

Fenerbahce - who claim £4m was initially offered - are demanding £10m for Anelka, while Fulham are demanding a more substantial bid for Boa Morte, who is available for £5m.

The Cottagers' boss Chris Coleman said: "Newcastle came in but I don't consider that to be a serious offer. I won't go into it but we rejected it immediately. I told Luis the same day that there is no way we would let him go, certainly not for that kind of money."

Newcastle have confirmed they have held talks with Australian defender Craig Moore.

Moore is out of contract after having his terms with Borussia Moenchengladbach ripped up for internal reasons.

The 29-year-old, who started last season alongside Jean-Alain Boumsong at Rangers, wants a move to the Premiership.

And Souness said: "We have spoken to him. We are in the market for an experienced centre-back."

Meanwhile, Jermaine Jenas and Michael Chopra are unlikely to figure against Deportivo.

Jenas went off at half-time on Saturday with a groin injury, and replacement Chopra lasted just 13 minutes after suffering concussion.

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