NEWCASTLE United fans last night received the news they most wanted to hear: Kieron Dyer is staying at St. James' Park.

Dyer's agent, Jonathan Barnett, appears to have given United the go-ahead to open talks aimed at extending the England star's contract until 2006.

Magpies' manager Bobby Robson revealed towards the end of last season that Barnett had blocked attempts by chairman Freddy Shepherd to set up negotiations with £20m-rated Dyer, who was the subject of a £15m approach from champions Manchester United.

Leeds, Arsenal and Inter Milan have also been strongly linked with 22-year-old Dyer, who has maintained that he sees his future with Newcastle.

A poll in Newcastle fanzine The Mag shows that 92 per cent of supporters say the club should not sell midfielder Dyer, even at £20m.

The Mag warns that Newcastle "would be playing with fire if they cashed in on their greatest asset''.

And Barnett has assured Geordie fans they need have no fears about losing the diminutive Dyer, who will miss the start of next season while he recovers from surgery for a stress fracture of the shin.

He said: "Kieron believes that Newcastle are a big club and on the verge of winning things. He won't be moving to Manchester United, Arsenal or anywhere else.''

A further poll in The Mag reveals that skipper Alan Shearer is the overwhelming choice of fans to eventually succeed Robson as manager. Shearer came first ahead of Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson and Celtic manager Martin O'Neill.

But 94pc of fans were happy with Robson, even though 83pc said they were less satisfied with the situation at the club than they were a year ago.

* Newcastle have been linked with former Middlesbrough star Juninho.

Reports from Spain suggest Atletico Madrid are willing to let the Magpies talk to the Brazilian midfielder if they are prepared to meet an asking price of £5.5m.

However, sources in Brazil say that Juninho, who left Boro in a £12m deal four years ago before returning on loan in season 1999-2000, still has his heart set on a permanent move back to his homeland following a successful term on loan with Rio-based Vasco da Gama.

Juninho believes a return to Brazil is vital if he is to maintain his place in the national squad ahead of next summer's World Cup finals.

* Robert Lee's testimonial match against Athletic Bilbao will go ahead on Saturday, August 11, regardless of whether Newcastle reach the finals of the Intertoto Cup, the first legs of which are scheduled for August 7.