Dyer is Magpies' first choice, insists Bellamy

The arrival of James Milner and Nicky Butt has added more competition to a midfield area that was already heavily congested given the presence of Jermaine Jenas, Lee Bowyer, Laurent Robert and Darren Ambrose.

But Bellamy is adamant that Dyer must be guaranteed his place if United are to improve on last season's disappointing fifth-place finish.

The England international was named Player of the Tournament in the Newcastle Gateshead Cup last weekend, despite appearing jaded in Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Sporting Lisbon following his goalscoring exploits against Rangers 24 hours earlier.

He is likely to feature again when Newcastle play their final pre-season game at Celtic tomorrow night.

He will hope to convince Sir Bobby Robson that he is worth his place in the starting line-up for the Premiership opener at Middlesbrough on August 14.

"I heard on the radio that people were talking about Jonathan Greening's contribution at Middlesbrough and trying to say he's the same kind of player as Kieron," said Bellamy, who is also expected to press his claims for a starting berth at Parkhead.

"He couldn't lace that boy's boots. Kieron Dyer is too exceptional and a fully-fit Kieron Dyer is the first name on the Newcastle team-sheet every day of the week.

"He's showing his critics in pre-season just how talented he really is."

Dyer made 34 appearances for the Magpies last season, but managed just three goals as his shooting boots deserted him for much of the campaign.

Two of those came in January's FA Cup win at Southampton and, for an attacking midfielder, that total represented a particularly poor return.

Bellamy admits that Dyer should score more goals than he does, but argues that Saturday's strike against Rangers could be a sign of better things to come.

"He needs more like the one he tucked away against Rangers," said the Wales international.

"But since he's returned from England duty he's been superb.

"Kieron's finishing is a part of his game which is always criticised, and rightly so because for a player of his ability he just doesn't score enough goals.

"But his overall contribution has lifted me and helped me reach a new level."

Bellamy's latest knee problems seem to have subsided after he was omitted from the Newcastle party that travelled to the Far East, although he was left out of Sunday's game with Sporting as a precaution following a typically ebullient display against Rangers.

Sir Bobby Robson is confident that the 25-year-old will be fit to face Middlesbrough in ten days' time, and he could yet be joined at the Riverside by centre-half Jonathan Woodgate.

The former Leeds defender returned to training yesterday following a scan on his thigh problem and, provided there are no new set-backs, should face his hometown team.

Laurent Robert and Darren Ambrose are still being assessed after picking up knocks in the 4-2 win over Rangers but, after being linked with possible moves to both Marseille and Espanyol last week, Robert has confirmed that he has entered contract discussions with the Magpies.

And, after suffering some much-publicised fall-outs with Robson in the past, the winger has spoken of his admiration for his embattled boss.

"We are in talks for a two or three-year extension," said Robert. " In a season there are ups and downs, me and him (Robson) were sometimes wrong in our assessments.

"But there was never any clash between us. I have just bawled sometimes but there has always been respect.

"I have great esteem for him - he is a great man. Moreover, he dared to invest 110 million francs on my transfer."

* Newcastle have signed French youth international Charles N'Zogbia, after he impressed in a trial period on Tyneside.

The club are finalising the details of a deal that will see N'Zogbia move from French Second Division side Le Havre for a nominal compensation fee.

The 18-year-old is a versatile left footer who can play in either defence or midfield.

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