LAURENT Robert will open contract talks with Newcastle next week after insisting that he has no plans to leave the club, but fellow midfielder Kieron Dyer is pondering his United future after being abused in the aftermath of Saturday's win over Southampton.

Robert's future has been shrouded in doubt since Graeme Souness replaced Sir Bobby Robson in early September.

While Robson was an avowed admirer of the Frenchman's attacking talents, Souness has repeatedly questioned both his willingness and ability to defend.

The Scot branded Robert "lazy" after a particularly lacklustre display last month and restricted his first-team opportunities despite United's recent lack of attacking threat.

The winger's response was to all but draw a line under his Newcastle career, claiming he would move if he was not given a prolonged run in the team.

A hasty meeting helped to clear the air - with Robert making a goalscoring return to the first team on Boxing Day - but, tellingly, the 29-year-old was back on the bench on Saturday as United ground out a 2-1 win over Southampton.

His chances are likely to remain limited if Souness persists with playing Craig Bellamy behind the front two but, rather than seeking a move before the transfer window closes, Robert has revealed that he is actually looking to extend his stay on Tyneside.

The playmaker still has a year and a half of his current deal to run but, with the Bosman ruling making all clubs twitchy about players nearing the final 12 months of their contract, both parties are keen to resolve the situation before the summer.

"On the whole, I feel much better at Newcastle than last month," said Robert, who has made more than 160 appearances since joining the Magpies in August 2001.

"I am waiting to see what the club wants to do with me. My agent should have a phone call with the chairman on Monday.

"I want to go on at Newcastle - but only to play. I am at the end of my contract in June 2006.

"If I sign again it will be for two more years, but no talks have started yet. We should know more next week."

But, while one controversial midfielder is committing himself to the club, another is pondering whether his future lies away from Tyneside.

Kieron Dyer was close to tears when he entered the home dressing room on Saturday, despite playing an integral part in maintaining United's unbeaten start to 2005.

The England international was abused as he left the field and his team-mates were forced to comfort him in the aftermath of the 2-1 win.

The exact nature of the abuse has not been revealed but, having withstood a torrent of verbal insults earlier in the season, the latest attack is understood to have been particularly difficult to take.

Dyer was criticised after refusing to play on the right of midfield at the start of the season, and was booed onto St James' Park as a substitute in England's international friendly with Ukraine.

The 26-year-old was able to withstand those insults and, after recovering from a hamstring injury, has been back to something approaching his best in recent weeks.

The character of the latest abuse has upset him though, and first-team coach Dean Saunders has admitted that he understands why Dyer was so visibly affected.

"A minority of fans had been giving Kieron Dyer some stick," said Saunders. "He came in shaking his head after we had beaten Southampton and he was clearly upset.

"When I heard about some of the abuse which had been directed at him, I can understand why he was so upset.

"While he has won over the majority of the fans, he is still getting abuse from others.

"All we can say is that, since we have been here, Kieron has been no trouble at all. In fact, he is one of the best at the club."