SIR BOBBY ROBSON has revealed that Newcastle United attempted to offload Lee Bowyer while he was still manager - long before his infamous on-field bust-up with Kieron Dyer.

Bowyer became public enemy number one at Newcastle when he traded blows with Dyer last season during a game against Aston Villa at St James' Park in April.

Bowyer was seen by most as the instigator of the fight with his team-mate, and his exit from Newcastle appeared inevitable - especially after chairman Freddy Shepherd gave him permission to speak to both Birmingham City and Charlton this summer.

But following the breakdown of a move to St Andrews after a fans' backlash, Bowyer is now back playing in the Magpies' first-team.

Robson was more than happy to give his version of a fight he believed 'embarrassed' the club.

"You wouldn't expect two professional players to act like that," said Robson, who brought Bowyer to St James Park on a free transfer in the summer of 2003. "It was a surprise to me as much as it was to Graeme and the chairman. It embarrassed everybody.

"I was in Singapore at the time and I couldn't believe it. I thought 'what has happened to those two guys'. They just lost their heads.

"When we signed Lee we knew what we were signing but I always felt every player needs a second chance and he never gave me one penny worth of problems from the day I signed him until I left.

"So of course it was awful and the players know that and why it happened I will never know."

In Robson's book, Farewell but not Goodbye, the 72-year-old disclosed how it wasn't the first time Bowyer was seen as a player on his way out of St James' Park.

Bowyer was offered to Spurs back in season 2003/04 - without the manager's knowledge.

Robson discovered from his chief scout, Charlie Woods, that Shepherd was attempting to sell Bowyer toward the end of that season without consulting his manager.

Tottenham's then director of football David Pleat contacted the club to ask Woods 'what was up with Lee Bowyer?'

Robson was astonished to discover a player he believed was worth £4m was being offered to Spurs on a free.

Shepherd had apparently rung David Geiss, Bowyer's agent, telling him he wanted Bowyer out of the club.

Robson was annoyed the chairman had 'taken the law in to his own hands' in a bid to move the player out of St James' Park.

Whilst Robson admitted Bowyer was not playing well at the time, he was angered the chairman had contacted Bowyer's agent without his knowledge, but surprisingly refused to confront Shepherd.

Robson admits in the book Shepherd was unaware he knew, and still didn't when he sacked him as manager ten months ago.

Bowyer was at his footballing best in a man-of-the-match performance on Saturday in the 2-0 win over Dubnica that set up Newcastle for an Intertoto Cup semi-final encounter with Deportiva La Coruna - the first leg in Spain tomorrow.

After the game Magpies' skipper Alan Shearer and manager Graeme Souness put on a united front in defence of the player.

And last week Bowyer insisted he has no desire to leave the club, publicy stating he wanted to stay.

"It isn't good when a player is told by his club that he has permission to speak to another club, and you do wonder whether or not you are wanted," said the 28-year-old who will appear before Newcastle magistrates on September 5 in connection with the brawl with team-mate Dyer.

"I have been linked with moves here, there and everywhere. I spoke with Birmingham and Charlton but I didn't want to move away from this club."

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