BOBBY Robson will attempt to secure Kieron Dyer's future with Newcastle United in a desperate bid to head-off a repeat of the battle he lost to keep Ronaldo at Barcelona.

Magpies' boss Robson is ready to press for contract talks with Dyer following Manchester United's £15m approach for the England starlet.

The champions, along with Leeds, Juventus and Inter Milan, are squaring up for a possible £20m close-season struggle to prise Dyer away from St. James' Park.

Robson yesterday revealed that Dyer's agent, Jonathan Barnett, had already blocked moves by Magpies' chairman Freddy Shepherd to tie the 22-year-old midfielder to a new five-year deal.

But Robson reinforced his determination to hold on to Dyer, who yesterday escaped unhurt from a "minor'' car crash outside Newcastle's Chester-le-Street training base.

The Dyer transfer saga put Robson in mind of the episode involving Brazilian superstar Ronaldo, who moved from Barcelona to Inter Milan in a then-world record £19.5m deal four years ago when the Newcastle boss was in charge at the Nou Camp.

Robson said: "We have one of the greatest midfield players in this country in Kieron Dyer. This club gave him a five-year contract and he's got three years to go, and my wish is we retain his services.

"That's also the wish of the chairman, because I've spoken to him face-to-face about it.

"I know what it's like to lose a player against your will. Ronaldo was on an eight-year contract, but his agents got him out of Barcelona.

"He told me he wanted to stay, and I said to him: 'Tell your agent that.' The agent said: 'We will tell you where you play your football - we're here to make money.' So the kid went to Inter. I told him he would regret it - and he did.

"Some time ago I spoke to the chairman about Kieron and he approached Kieron's agent about extending his contract, but the agent wasn't interested at that time.

"There's nothing we can do about that, but I would have thought we will make further attempts this summer.''

Robson's predecessor, Ruud Gullit, bought Dyer from Ipswich for £6m just before the start of last season.

"He was an exceptionally good buy and we're a big enough club to keep people like Dyer,'' insisted Robson.

"We want him to stay - we want to keep our best assets and add to them. If Bobby Robson, Freddy Shepherd and Kieron Dyer say he's staying, that's it.''

At the end of a week in which Man. United broke the British transfer record when they paid PSV Eindhoven £19m for Holland striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, Robson questioned the champions' ability to dig deeper still in pursuit of Dyer.

Robson also admitted he fears transfer meltdown if fees continue to spiral out of control.

He said: "We've seen Man. United buy van Nistelrooy for £19m. I know him very well, I worked with him every day when I was at PSV, and he's a fantastic player.

"But £19m? The chances are he's worth it, but he has a lot to prove in the Premiership and it won't be easy.

"I wouldn't have thought we could spend that sort of money, but that doesn't depress me because I'm a realist, not a romantic. A £19m fee will hurt the finances of Man. United.

"We'll see whether they have the financial capacity to go out and buy another player at that price.

"I think the money they've paid for van Nistelrooy will bump up transfer fees everywhere. If he's worth £19m, other people are going to say: 'My player is worth £11m,' when he might only be worth £4m.

"Where it's all going to end, I don't know. It will have to stop somewhere.''

Robson revealed he has had preliminary discussions with Shepherd about his own summer transfer budget.

He said: "It's no secret I've had a meeting with the chairman and outlined what we'd like to do, and it's just a case of moving at the right time.''

Robson, meanwhile, was due to speak to Dyer following the road accident yesterday morning. He said: "He's fine - he hasn't sustained any injury. His car is damaged, but he isn't.''

Newcastle today face the first of four home games in the final three weeks of the season when they tackle a Leicester side who have lost their last eight games.

The Foxes' dismal run has prompted some to cast doubt on the wisdom of manager Peter Taylor combining club duties with his coaching role under England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson.

But former England manager Robson, denied the chance to return as national boss this season on a part-time caretaker basis when Shepherd rebuffed an approach by the FA, yesterday rallied to Taylor's defence.

The FA turned to ex-Under-21 coach Taylor to take charge of England's friendly in Italy in November before Eriksson's appointment was confirmed.

"Peter was pick of the week not so long ago,'' said Robson. "He took temporary charge of England and coped with that brilliantly.

"Now he finds his team struggling, but I'm sure he will come through it. I think he's capable of handling both jobs without detriment to either.''

* Newcastle midfielder Gary Speed will today make his 318th Premiership appearance, eclipsing the record held by Birmingham's former Coventry, Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford defender Peter Atherton.

* Alan Shearer flies to Colorado tomorrow for his latest consultation with knee specialist Dr Richard Steadman.

The Newcastle skipper, troubled by tendinitis, is facing the likelihood of further surgery and Robson said: "If he has the operation next week, it will be four months before he plays again.'

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