NEWCASTLE manager Bobby Robson believes Kieron Dyer can overcome the hurt of his Euro 2000 rejection and re-emerge as the missing link in England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's World Cup crusade.

Former England boss Robson yesterday insisted that £20m-rated Dyer could provide the solution to England's problem position on the left side of midfield.

Robson revealed that the 22-year-old is expected to be back in action for Newcastle in four weeks after what will then have been an agonising eight-month lay-off.

Dyer maintains he is taking nothing for granted on the England front.

"After what happened last year, when I was left out of Euro 2000 by Kevin Keegan, I'm not counting my chickens," he said.

"I was left hurt by it all, and I still have a lot of hard work to do to even get fit to play for Newcastle.

"Nobody is more delighted than I am that England have qualified, but getting back in a black and white shirt is my first priority."

However, with Eriksson having switched Liverpool striker Emile Heskey to the left after clubmate Nicky Barmby failed to impress in the opening half of Saturday's qualification clincher against Greece, Robson stressed: "Kieron can do that job.

"He's done it for Newcastle and he can do it for England. He's quick and clever, he can get past people and he's good on and off the ball.

"He is an England player, no doubt about it, and when he is fit there is no question over his talent."

Robson confirmed that, despite his lengthy absence after surgery on a long-standing shin problem, Dyer is still very much in Eriksson's thoughts.

"Sven likes him, he keeps asking about him and he's anxious to know how he is getting on,'' said Robson.

"I can tell him that we hope to have Kieron back in group training inside the next two weeks, and that in a further two weeks we hope to have him playing again.

"I know Kieron is delighted that England have qualified and it's a boost for him. Now we have to get him fit and he has to prove to Sven that he is fit. Then he has to produce a bit of form because he is certainly England material.

"Sven is concentrating on his best 22 players and Kieron can be in that 22.

"But first things first. He has to concentrate on Newcastle because only his club form will get him back into the England squad."

Dyer won the last of his eight England caps under caretaker boss Peter Taylor in the friendly in Italy last November.

Meanwhile, Robson is ready to give Greek defender Nikos Dabizas a breather following his World Cup exertions at Old Trafford.

French loan signing Sylvain Distin is poised to make his full debut for the Magpies in place of Dabizas for tonight's Worthington Cup third-round tie at Barnsley.

Distin arrived from Paris St. Germain a month ago with a view to a permanent deal, and Robson said: "There's no point in paying £3m for a reserve player, so it's in my head to give Distin a chance.

"He's a big prospect and I've been impressed with him so far because he's quick, tall and left-footed.

"But we don't have to make a decision on signing him until the end of the season."

Newcastle are desperate to make Cup progress with the lure of a place in Europe on offer for the Worthington winners.

"Ten Premiership sides are going to be away from home in this round, so it's a big week and we want to be in the hat for the next round," added Robson. "It's a very important match for us.''

Andy Griffin is unlikely to play because of a groin strain, but Warren Barton is fit to fill the right-back slot.

Sunderland's on-loan Geordie midfielder Chris Lumsdon is likely to line up for Barnsley.

l Bobby Robson yesterday expressed his sadness over the sacking of Derby's former Newcastle boss Jim Smith.

"I'm sad,'' said Robson. "The pressure of games is intense these days, but Derby are not near to being relegated.

"Jim is a great football man and deserves to be in the game - he's been a thoroughbred manager.

"He's one of the old school and thank God for the old school! He has served the game with distinction.''