Bobby Robson has warned clubs chasing England midfielder Kieron Dyer not to waste his time.

Italian giants AC Milan and Inter Milan are the latest to be linked with the 21-year-old Newcastle star, who wins his sixth cap in Turin tonight.

Leeds have also been credited with an interest in the £6m midfielder, who has doubled his value in 16 months on Tyneside.

But Robson is one of Dyer's biggest fans and he has firmly dismissed transfer speculation. He insisted: "Kieron is not for sale, end of story. We would not even think about selling him.''

Lomana Lualua has put himself into contention for a derby call-up against Sunderland on Saturday after scoring twice for the reserves in the 3-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday.

Lualua, banned for last weekend's trip to Leicester, is available again and clearly in Robson's thoughts.

Reserve team coach Tommy Craig said: "You never know what Lomana is going to do but invariably it's something special."

Alain Goma and Robert Lee are both winning fitness battles to be available for the derby clash.

Meanwhile Newcastle have failed in an audacious bid to buy Melbourne Carlton - Mark Viduka's former club.

A Geordie delegation has been involved in talks with the Australian outfit but have failed to strike a deal.

A source claimed: "Newcastle have been in Australia trying to buy Melbourne Carlton but they have not done so."

If Newcastle had taken over Carlton they would have got their players without any fee. Now it looks as though they will have to find other ways to tap the Aussie market.

l Australia coach Frank Farina will be guided on the fitness of Leeds striker Mark Viduka by the player himself ahead of tonight's friendly against Scotland.

The former Celtic forward injured his ankle in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday, with Elland Road boss David O'Leary immediately declaring him unfit for the game at Hampden Park.

But although Viduka is determined to play, Farina has told O'Leary he will not feature if there is any risk, with a decision to be made just before the match.

''Mark is keen to play but he didn't train this morning. He just went round with the physio and the doctor who assessed his ankle,'' said Farina.

''He has got a problem there is quite a bit of swelling in there but we are going to give him another 24 hours to see whether he is fit."