BOBBY Robson hopes the comeback of Kieron Dyer will give Newcastle United the perfect Premiership boost.

And the Magpies boss believes the highly-rated midfielder can earn himself a place in England's 2002 World Cup squad.

Dyer has not kicked a ball in a first team game since Newcastle's clash with Manchester City in February, but he makes a return to the squad for tomorrow's trip to his old club Ipswich.

Robson is convinced that the 22-year-old, who made his return to action for the reserves at Bolton on Wednesday night, can soon recapture his best form.

"It will be like having a new player," said Robson, who will name Dyer on the bench. "It's wonderful to have Kieron back.

"The club made a big investment in him. It was a shrewd signing and the kid is only 22 so he has got ten years at the highest level to play.

"He has suffered a bad injury, but he has overcome that now and let's hope he can realise the potential he was showing last season.

"He has got a big future here and a big future in the game."

By coming back from calf and shin splint problems in December, Robson insists that a rejuvenated Dyer will be in exactly the right frame of mind for the World Cup.

Robson, whose gamble to take a young Paul Gascoigne to Italia '90 paid off, believes Dyer should not be overlooked when fully fit.

The former England manager insists that the current St. James' Park star can turn a match in the same way as the enigmatic Gascoigne.

"They are different players but they can have the same impact because they can win a game," said the 68-year-old.

"Last season Kieron only had to learn how to put the ball past the keeper and then he got his injury.

"If he can get on the goalscoring trail again then he will be a fabulous player.

"He is great on the ground, has a great engine, sees a clever pass and it's his pace that's frightening.

"Gascoigne was strong and was quite good in the air and could tackle as well.

"But when Kieron played for England under Kevin Keegan he looked good, didn't he?

"By the summer he will be in the best of conditions. In fact he'll have had four months behind him and he will be in great nick.

"He has got to get his career at Newcastle back on track and from there he will either pave his way or he won't."

Dyer, signed from Ipswich for £6m in 1999 by Ruud Gullit, has been touted as the solution to England's problem left side.

And his club chief insists that the highly sought after schemer is more than capable of playing anywhere on the field.

"He can play in various positions," said Robson, who believes his best position is in the middle of the pitch. "He can play up front, wide or simply midfield. He has a great engine and is a great player.

"I played him last year in the free role and he did very well for us."

Robson has not been tempted to throw Dyer straight into his Newcastle line-up at Portman Road.

But the St James' chief knows that whoever he puts out they must not consider bottom club Ipswich as an easy three points.

"It's a difficult task that George is faced with to get them out of trouble," said the ex-Ipswich boss.

"But nobody gets relegated in December and there is still plenty of time for Ipswich to get out of trouble - and I hope they do.

"It isn't easy when you're last because no other team is willing to give you points.

"They have got a fight on their hands and I'm sure they will apply themselves to that.

"And now they don't have any distractions because they are out of both the Worthington and UEFA Cups."

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