NEWCASTLE United skipper Alan Shearer has assured teammate Kieron Dyer he will come up smelling of roses at the World Cup after his self-professed "stinker'' in England's victory over Paraguay.

Midfielder Dyer disappointed himself and many others with his first half run-out in the 4-0 warm-up romp at Anfield on Wednesday night.

Dyer, who operated in the problem left-sided role, later admitted he had a "stinker'' in his first England game for nearly 18 months.

But Shearer, England captain at the last World Cup in France, insists Dyer will be a hit in the Far East - wherever he plays.

"Kieron is good enough to step into that role,'' said Shearer. "He played there when Bobby Robson first arrived at Newcastle and looked comfortable.

"I think Kieron was harsh on himself after Wednesday's match. He found it hard to get into the game and that can happen to anybody.

"But there are no problems with Kieron. I am 100 per cent convinced he is going to the World Cup and I think he's convinced as well.

"You judge your best players in major tournaments, not friendlies, and I am certain he will be a success."

Newcastle boss Robson shares Shearer's confidence. Dyer returns to Premiership duty in today's home game against Charlton with a ringing endorsement from his club manager.

"Kieron's problem has been trying to prove himself in a very short time," said Robson.

"He's trying to do it in five weeks after two bad injuries. But he's a special player and seems to cope at a high level without much preparation.

"Between now and the end of the season he's going to be flushed with excitement and determination to show he is an extremely good candidate for the World Cup.

"He has a big ambition to be there and to be one of the outstanding players. The big games don't faze him and he can perform right across the pitch."

Dyer can't teach Shearer anything about motivation.

The 31-year-old striker is set to play today with a broken nose in a bid to notch his 200th Premiership goal - and help his side towards a Champions' League place.

Shearer maintained: "I won't lose any sleep over being stuck on 199 - provided we win.

"I think Leeds can pick up nine points from their remaining games, I'm not so sure about Chelsea, but the race to finish fourth is still in our own hands.

"We have to tighten up at the back, and that's not a criticism of our defence."

It is certainly no criticism of goalkeeper Shay Given, who celebrates his 26th birthday today, with Shearer insisting: "I think Shay is by far the best keeper in the Premiership.

"He has had his best season by a mile and he fully deserved to be voted into the PFA's Premiership team of the season because nobody comes close to him in my opinion.

"But we can't keep coming from behind to win games and we need clean sheets to be successful. That's down to the entire team. We have tremendous self-belief but we can't expect to be scoring three or four goals in every game."

Shearer is likely to be partnered by Lomana LuaLua, who is set for his first start this season after scoring a last-gasp winner in the dramatic 3-2 win at Derby a week ago.

Carl Cort is rested and Craig Bellamy is expected to return on the bench after an eight-week absence with knee trouble.

Robson is reluctant to risk Bellamy too soon, even though he admits United have missed the 15-goal Welsh international.

"It's nice to have him back but if we do get into the Champions' League, we will need him even more and we have to make sure he doesn't finish the season with tendinitis," said Robson.

"We are on the edge of achieving something quite remarkable in going from bottom to fourth," added the 69-year-old manager, who saved the club from relegation after taking over from Ruud Gullit in September 1999.

Newcastle have come from behind to win eight times this season, the latest occasion against Derby earning Robson the performance of the week award from the League Managers' Association for a record sixth time.

"There is a tenacity, a resolve and a fantastic spirit here," he said. "But we are not there yet and the next three games are critical."

Newcastle are hunting for records against Charlton, despite failing to score against the Addicks at St James' Park in the Premiership.

Shearer will be making his 400th start in League football while the Magpies need three goals to reach 100 for the season and two to make it 5,000 in all competitions at St James'.

But Charlton won't be pushovers after chalking up four wins and two draws on their last six League visits to Tyneside.

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