SIR BOBBY ROBSON'S reputation as one of football's strictest disciplinarians is on the line after Newcastle United yesterday finally agreed terms with the controversial Lee Bowyer.

The Magpies confirmed that the 26-year-old midfielder is bound for St James' Park on a Bosman transfer at the end of his short-term contract with relegated West Ham.

Manager Robson and chairman Freddy Shepherd flew to London to meet Bowyer and see off any rival suitors for his signature.

Bowyer will undergo a medical when he returns from holiday before formally completing a four-year deal which could net him up to £8m.

The former Leeds star recently underwent a minor ankle operation but is expected to be fit in about a month and could make his Newcastle debut against Hartlepool at Victoria Park on Friday, August 1.

Bowyer's every move on Tyneside will be under intense scrutiny in light of his past court appearances.

The move to Newcastle means he links up again with ex-Leeds teammate Jonathan Woodgate, alongside whom Bowyer stood trial for an assault on Asian student Sarfraz Najeib over three years ago.

Bowyer was acquitted of all charges but Woodgate was found guilty of affray and ordered to complete 100 hours' community service.

Woodgate's conviction, however, failed to dissuade Robson from signing the Middlesbrough-born defender for £9m in January.

Now the challenge for 70-year-old Robson is to put Bowyer's career back on track following his unhappy spell with boyhood favourites West Ham, and convince sceptical fans that he hasn't bitten off more than he can chew in recruiting the England international.

Robson, whose young side have already been dubbed "The Wild Bunch'' - Craig Bellamy and Kieron Dyer, among others, have fallen foul of the law - has acknowledged that Bowyer comes with "baggage'' and must behave himself to fulfil his part of the bargain.

But Robson is banking on his renowned man-management skills to bring the best out of Bowyer.

And Shepherd, whose own stance on indiscipline has hardened, last night insisted: ''Lee knows a lot of the players here, so Bobby knows he will settle in well. He's a great signing, who will do his talking on the pitch.

"We were third last season, so who knows what will happen next season?

"I am a very proud man to be in the position I am in at the moment.''

A spokesman for Newcastle said: "Sir Bobby and Freddy are confident Lee will be an asset to Newcastle.

''The club is moving forward to a new era with confidence as it continues to build on recent successes in the transfer market. We're developing a talented array of players.''

Shepherd, however, revealed that he expects some departures this summer. He said: ''There is always natural wastage anyway and every club has ins and outs. That is what will happen at Newcastle.''

United now have huge strength in midfield with Bowyer, Gary Speed, Kieron Dyer, Laurent Robert, Nolberto Solano, Jermaine Jenas, Hugo Viana, Brian Kerr, Clarence Acuna and Jamie McClen.

Speed remains a key man, although at 33 he is nearing the twilight of his career, while Solano's future is uncertain as he is keen to play in Peru's Copa America qualifying campaign, much to Robson's annoyance.

But with Bowyer facing a six-match European ban, he will play no part in the launch of the Magpies' Champions League campaign.

* Newcastle will decide early next month whether to compete in the FA Premier League Asia Cup in Malaysia.

Chelsea, Birmingham and the Malaysian national side are also due to take part in the inaugural tournament at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur between July 24 and 27.

But the SARS crisis in the Far East has placed a doubt over the event and a decision on whether it goes ahead is likely to be taken at the Premier League's AGM on June 5 and 6.

As well as the visit to Hartlepool, Newcastle's domestic pre-season programme will take in a trip to Sheffield Wednesday the following day. Hull City then host the Magpies on Monday, August 4, the day before Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich are due at St James'.

Meanwhile, United will discover who they face in their Champions League qualifier when the draw is made in Nyon, Switzerland, on Friday, July 25.

* Sir Bobby Robson has admitted his admiration for Real Sociedad midfielder Javier De Pedro.

"It's true I like him very much,'' Robson said of the 29-year-old Spanish international, "but he does not want to leave Sociedad.''

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