KIERON DYER'S name is likely to be crossed off the wish-list of Leeds manager David O'Leary if the England starlet lands in any more trouble with Newcastle.

One of the 'Gang of Four' sent home in disgrace from Newcastle's trip to Spain last week after failing to attend a tribute dinner for former chairman Sir John Hall, Dyer is currently facing a fight on two fronts to rescue his ailing career.

The £20m-rated midfielder is not only battling to banish doubts about his long-term fitness following two operations for shin problems and nearly nine months out of action.

He is also struggling to tone down a fast-living lifestyle which threatens to undermine a potentially glittering future.

At 22, Dyer has already been linked with moves to the likes of Manchester United and Inter Milan, as well as Leeds.

But Newcastle, who resisted an audacious £15m approach from Old Trafford last season, insist he is destined to play a pivotal role in their quest for long-overdue honours.

That remains the case despite Dyer's latest off-field misdemeanour. In tandem with teammates Carl Cort, Craig Bellamy and Andy Griffin, he chose to sample some of the local hospitality on the Costa del Sol rather than pay homage to club president Sir John, the man who, roughly a decade ago, saved a debt-ridden Newcastle from extinction.

Dyer and company, who denied there was any intentional snub, were this week severely censured by chairman Freddy Shepherd and manager Bobby Robson.

But there have been conflicting signals from Newcastle on the exact nature of the players' punishment.

Initially, the club confirmed the quartet had been fined, but a further statement yesterday suggested the matter was still under consideration.

The statement said: "Freddy Shepherd and Bobby Robson talked to the four players, who were given a full opportunity to put their side of the story as to why they failed to turn up for an official function.

"The club will now consider what the players said and take a decision in due course on any disciplinary action.''

One thing is for sure, however, and that is the players are effectively on probation after being warned about their future conduct.

For Dyer, who has already incurred the wrath of Robson on more than one occasion, that amounts to a final warning.

But if the former Ipswich star, who left his home-town club for Newcastle in a £6m deal over two years ago, sees Leeds as a ready-made escape route, he may have to think again.

While there is no doubting O'Leary's admiration of Dyer, who numbers Leeds' England defender Rio Ferdinand among his closest friends, the Elland Road boss is already weary of the adverse publicity which has dogged his own club in recent times.

O'Leary's admission earlier this year that the strain of the on-going court case involving two of his players, Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate, had almost driven him to breaking point, was the clearest indication of his dislike for any distraction from the job of producing a winning team.

With Leeds leading what is shaping up to be the tighest Premiership title race yet witnessed, O'Leary is at present succeeding in his prime objective.

That is why, although Dyer may be seen by some as the final piece in the O'Leary jigsaw, he must clean up his act and cement his future at Newcastle, or risk being left on the shelf.

* Newcastle target Brett Emerton has revealed his desire to join Leeds and link up with Australia teammates Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka.

Feyenoord midfielder Emerton, also linked with Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Liverpool and Arsenal, would cost up to £15m.

* Newcastle left-back Wayne Quinn is ready to reject a move to Preston and fight for his place at St James' Park.

Quinn's agent, Mark Curtis, said: "There has been no approach and, even if there had been, he told me he wouldn't be interested.

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