A PHILOSOPHICAL Lee Bowyer last night lamented on what he considers as his 'lost year'.

Twelve months ago the 26-year-old had made his full England debut, was playing regularly for Leeds United and was looking to put a troubled past behind him.

But in December last year an ankle injury put him on the sidelines, he was then banned for six matches by UEFA for a stamp on Malaga midfielder Gerardo, and a dream move to West Ham in the January transfer window rapidly turned sour.

"It's been a lost year and a long one," said Bowyer, who joined the Magpies for free in the summer.

"I got injured and I was out for a long time at West Ham.

"I went there and I couldn't even train properly. The team I loved got relegated and I couldn't do anything about it."

During his ill-fated time back in East London, Bowyer saw his form and fitness disintegrate and could only watch as the Hammers joined Sunderland and West Brom in the Nationwide.

"My fitness went and once that goes you'll always struggle to play in this standard of football," said Bowyer.

"I was disappointed going back (to West Ham) because I was playing with the pain."

Bowyer was again the centre of attention on his return to East London with protests at Upton Park on his debut for the Hammers which, ironically, was against Newcastle.

Feelings were still running high after he was cleared following an attack on Asian student Sarfraz Najeib in January 2000.

But a low-key arrival on Tyneside in the summer was a far more reserved affair, and the former Leeds United and Charlton Athletic midfielder is now approaching his very best form.

A superb performance at Fulham was followed up on Saturday with a solid display against Portsmouth, and all that is missing now, according to the 26-year-old, is goals.

"I've come here and they've made me really welcome and I feel fine now," said Bowyer whose last goal was for Leeds against Middlesbrough a year ago yesterday.

"Only in the last week have we seen the real Lee Bowyer - at Fulham and here (against Portsmouth) and that is also because I am playing all the time.

"I feel in the last three games I have been back to my old self.

"The only thing missing is I need to score a goal."

But Bowyer is still not fully satisfied, believing he can return to the sort of form that saw him help Leeds to the Champions League semi-final back in 2001.

"Then I scored six in the Champions League and finished a season with 15," said Bowyer. "That's what people remember me for. I haven't scored any goals yet and my fitness is only just starting to come together."

Bowyer also admitted that his public image was a factor in the apparent loss of his 'mean streak' early this season.