GRAEME Souness last night refuted suggestions Kieron Dyer's football career was under threat.

Dyer appeared to have finally put his injury hell behind him after a two-month absence with a 20-minute cameo in Newcastle's 3-0 victory at West Brom last Sunday, the England midfielder setting up Michael Owen's second goal with a pin-point cross to the near post.

But his road to recovery suffered another setback when he broke down in training this week, fuelling reports his career was at a crossroads.

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd also added his weight to his manager's words, revealing Dyer had 'lived like a monk' in a bid to regain full fitness.

The 26-year-old is struggling with a medical condition - his perpetual hamstring problems being a side-effect - with the club refusing to speculate on the puzzling conundrum regarding the former Ipswich man's health other than it is not career-threatening.

"Kieron has a medical condition which is causing him problems," said Souness.

"It is stopping him training properly and stopping him getting fully fit. But it is something we will get to the bottom of. We are going to find the best people we can to come up with the answers he needs and we need."

The midfielder's lifestyle has come under constant media scrutiny in the past but Souness again reiterated the complaint is not a reflection of how he conducts himself outside St James' Park.

"Can I make the point, and this is really important, that this is nothing that Kieron has done," said the United boss.

"This is not a lifestyle problem. There is nothing he has done to bring this problem on. He has just been a very, very, very unlucky young man.

"I'm not a doctor and I'm not going to go into it any more because it would be stupid of me to do so because I wouldn't have the answers to the questions you would ask me. That really is all I would like to say on it.

"We are determined to get to the bottom of it so we can see Kieron back playing for Newcastle United and England as soon as possible. We miss him.

"The 20 minutes he had against West Brom last weekend showed what he is capable of. We need that for 90 minutes on a regular basis.

"Whether you are a Newcastle United supporter or not, everybody will feel sympathy for Kieron's situation."

Asked if it was career-threatening, Souness said: "I don't believe so. I fully expect him to be back sooner rather than later."

Shepherd also wants to draw a line under the rumours circulating about Dyer's health.

''We have heard all the talk about what may and may not be wrong with Kieron Dyer but we have to respect the player's need for confidentiality on the matter,'' said Shepherd.

''But what I can say is that from the moment Graeme Souness arrived at this football club last September, neither the manager nor myself have any complaints about him. I have to say he has been a model professional and he has lived like a monk to try to get back to full fitness.

''When he had his latest setback this week the lad was absolutely devastated and close to tears. He has the full support of everyone at the club.

''He's not in our plans for the immediate future but we have every confidence that he will be back."

Three players who are in United's plans in the immediate future - and arguably the catalysts for the turnaround in the club's recent fortune - last night received glowing tributes from the Newcastle manager.

Michael Owen, Nolberto Solano and Emre have all spent time on the sidelines, which has contributed to the Magpies' fluctuating start to the season. But they have all returned to the starting XI in the last fortnight and it has coincided with a winning return.

"Emre and Nobby are both getting close to the fitness levels they would wish to have," said the United boss ahead of Birmingham's visit to St James' Park today.

"On Emre's part, there is a lot more in his locker. Not only in terms of fitness but he is still trying to understand the English Premiership. I have seen him play a lot better than he has done so far for Newcastle United.

"Nobby is best described as an extremely clever footballer. I had everyone here telling me on a regular basis, on a daily basis, how good a footballer he was. We tried to get him at Christmas time but were told he wasn't available.

"I have been very, very impressed by him. And he isn't a bad trumpet player either."

The 52-year-old Scot also revealed that his £16m star striker Owen does not escape some serious ribbing and criticism just because he affords superstar status when he opened a window into a day in the life at United's training academy.

"Michael Owen is everything I thought he was going to be, both on the pitch and off it," said Souness, whose side is hoping for a fourth consecutive Premiership victory this afternoon.

"He was quiet when he first came but he is now joining in with the banter. It has taken him this time to really feel settled. He is now giving people abuse, which is part and parcel of our way of life.

"They all abuse each other terribly. I don't abuse him. The staff call him Mr Owen.

"It's more about what they call each other.

"He might miss a chance or two in one of the small games we play, or miscontrol something. I sometimes get 'how much did you pay for him, boss?'

Read more about Newcastle United FC here.