Kieron Dyer has suffered a setback as he battles to overcome his injury nightmare.

The Newcastle midfielder's progress has been hindered by another hamstring strain, wrecking his hopes of returning against Arsenal on Saturday.

But the problem is not believed to be serious and Dyer still hopes to be back before the end of the year.

Dyer spent last week at the British Olympic Medical Centre, where the country's top athletes receive training advice and treatment.

One said: "Kieron settled in very well but it looked like he felt a twinge in his hamstring when he was doing a bit of work at the end of the week."

Dyer was scheduled to return to training on Tyneside on Monday but following the latest setback it was decided to let him stay at the BOMC in Harrow for further treatment.

Newcastle hope that the doctors who specialise in athletics injuries will help identify a cure for the muscle problem which has troubled Dyer for the last two years and put a question mark against his future.

Dyer won't be the only player missing on Saturday. Emre, Celestine Babayaro and Charles N'Zogbia are out, while Michael Owen, Stephen Carr and Steven Taylor are all unlikely to be fit.

The injuries have given a chance to Amdy Faye, who vowed yesterday to beat his critics and carve out a Premiership future with Newcastle.

The midfielder has struggled to win over the fans following a £2m move from Portsmouth last January. But manager Graeme Souness backed Faye to succeed after recalling him for last Saturday's match against Aston Villa.

Faye, troubled by an ankle injury recently, has started only five league games this season.

But Souness was delighted by his performance against Villa and said: "There seems to be a general feeling that Amdy is not a good footballer, but there are not many who enjoy playing against him."