SIR BOBBY ROBSON will keep a watchful eye on Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer at Sheffield Wednesday tonight - while the rest of Newcastle's big guns are unleashed on Hartlepool at Victoria Park.

Robson is leading a largely youthful party to Hillsborough, where Bowyer will make his first public appearance for the Magpies in this country since his free-transfer arrival at the end of last season.

Fellow midfielder Dyer, whose future was the subject of fevered speculation when he was linked with moves to Manchester United and Chelsea during Newcastle's recent trip to Malaysia, is the significant other in a 17-man squad to face Chris Turner's Wednesday.

Robson is keen to see more of the Bowyer-Dyer combination after they linked to good effect in the Magpies' Asia Cup games in Kuala Lumpur, the 2-1 win over Birmingham and 5-4 defeat on penalties by Chelsea in Sunday's final.

The Newcastle boss has staked his reputation on the signing of Bowyer, whose controversial life on and off the pitch means he is forever under intense scrutiny.

Bowyer, who must serve a six-match European ban after stamping on an opponent last season towards the end of his time with Leeds, was booked on his competitive bow for Newcastle in the game against Birmingham.

On the plus side, however, he scored - as did Dyer - in the dramatic penalty shoot-out with Chelsea, when both players were introduced after the interval.

Only six other members of the squad facing Wednesday - Aaron Hughes, Andy O'Brien, Titus Bramble, Shola Ameobi, Lomana LuaLua and Hugo Viana, were regularly involved at senior level last season.

In contrast, Newcastle could field virtually a full-strength team against Wednesday boss Turner's former charges at Hartlepool.

Skipper Alan Shearer is joined in a 19-man party by the likes of strike partner Craig Bellamy, goalkeeper Shay Given, defender Jonathan Woodgate, midfielders Jermaine Jenas and Gary Speed, and wingers Nolberto Solano and Laurent Robert.

First-team coach John Carver takes charge of the Geordies at Pool.

Newcastle squad for Sheff. Wed (7.45): Ameobi, Bartlett, Bowyer, Bramble, Brennan, Cort, Dyer, Elliott, Harper, Hughes, LuaLua, McClen, Andy O'Brien, Orr, Taylor, Viana, Zola Makongo.

Squad for Hartlepool (7.15): Acuna, Bellamy, Bernard, Caig, G Caldwell, S Caldwell, Collin, Given, Chopra, Griffin, Jenas, Kerr, Alan O'Brien, Ramage, Robert, Shearer, Solano, Speed, Woodgate.

Hartlepool yesterday announced that Newcastle fans will only have access to the Mill House Stand, with the Rink End now open to home fans, and the game is not all-ticket.

Meanwhile, Robson admitted he was surprised and more than a little pleased that Swedish champions Djurgardens had held Partizan Belgrade to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier.

The winners face Newcastle in the third qualifying round, and Robson said: "When I heard the result from Belgrade, I was more than a trifle surprised and I suppose deep down it actually pleased me.

"I thought Partizan would be favourites, and that's who we'd be meeting.

"But now that Djurgardens have picked up a draw, they will be fancying their chances of finishing the job off at home.

"Perhaps this would be best for us, bearing in mind the technical ability of teams from the former Yugoslavia.

"But if we do have to go to Stockholm, we know it will be just as tough against the Swedish side.''

Newcastle will be away in the first leg on either August 12 or 13, with the return at St James' Park on 26 or 27.

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