KIERON Dyer has revealed that Graeme Souness' battle against Scotland's boo-boys inspired him to win over the festering fans that were threatening to end his Newcastle career.

Dyer's season will have come full circle if he is cheered onto St James' Park as a second-half substitute for England in this evening's World Cup qualifier with Azerbaijan.

Last August, just four days after he infamously refused to play out of position for Newcastle against Middlesbrough, the midfielder was booed onto the same ground during an international friendly with Ukraine.

The hostility of his home fans clearly hurt and, initially, Dyer was forced to question whether he really wanted to embark on the long, painful process of winning them round.

But, after Souness arrived on Tyneside to replace Sir Bobby Robson, a frank exchange of views persuaded him it was possible to turn the jeers to cheers.

Souness might have been one of Scotland's greatest midfielders of all time but, when things were going badly north of the border, even he was not immune to caustic criticism.

The former Liverpool midfielder devised a novel system for combating that abuse and, by following his lead, Dyer has also undergone a process of rehabilitation that should ensure he receives a rather more welcoming reception tonight.

"When I first found out we were playing the Ukraine at St James', I thought it was one that, if we had won, I might have got a hero's welcome," said the Magpies midfielder. "But I had my well-documented problems and it was a torrid time getting booed with every touch.

"It affected me for the early part of the season, but a new manager came in at Newcastle and had a chat with me to explain that I am part of his plans.

"He said that I have to start to win these people back over and I am starting to see that, which is a good sign.

"He told me a story about when he and Alan Hansen were getting booed by their own fans when they were playing for Scotland. He said that, when they came out for the second-half, they got on the ball so many times that the fans just got fed up of booing them.

"He said 'Get on the ball at all times and show them you are not afraid. They will see that you are a strong character and you will start to win them over'. That has been the case."

Dyer's response to the criticism has been to produce one of the most productive and consistent spells of his career.

The midfielder has played in every league game since mid-November and scored four goals in his last nine outings to silence the critics who had claimed he was a peripheral presence at best.

Souness' unequivocal backing has obviously helped but, just as importantly, Dyer has finally been able to shake off the recurrent hamstring problems that were constantly stopping him in his tracks.

"This is probably the most consistent I have played for a number of years now," he explained. "Hopefully I will continue with that and keep injury-free, because that is the key.

"I had four hamstring tears last season which is incredible really. Obviously quick players do have their hamstring problems - Michael Owen has had them in the past - but I went to see a top specialist who did a number of tests on me and found that the muscle that kept getting ripped was very weak.

"He gave me certain exercises which would strengthen that muscle up so it is as strong as my right side. I still do the exercises today and I have not had a problem with the hamstring since."

Dyer's improved form has not been enough to force him into the England starting line-up but, with Joe Cole proving that a consistent run will not go unnoticed, the midfielder is confident of playing a significant role in the rest of his country's World Cup qualifiers.

"I think Joe getting his chance has given us all heart," said Dyer. "In the past, it has been that, when you turn up on a Monday or a Tuesday, you can basically predict the starting XI.

"It is great to see that, if you are doing it for your club on a consistent level like Joe has been doing, the gaffer is willing to give you a chance.

"The rest of the squad and the players on the bench can take great heart from that."

Eriksson was quick to praise Dyer's re-emergence and revealed: ''He has shown a lot of mental strength in getting over that.

"It's not easy to play at home when the fans are booing you when you come onto the pitch.

''That is the worst thing that can happen to you as a player.

''When you play away, it's okay but playing at home, it's not very nice at all.

''Lately, when I have come up here and have seen him playing right midfielder or second striker, the public love him again. That's very good to see.''