TITUS BRAMBLE feels close friend Kieron Dyer will play in this summer's World Cup providing the attacking midfielder fires Newcastle United to the FA Cup final.

Dyer's first start since August on Saturday brought a match-winning goal against Southampton that has set up a quarter-final tie with Chelsea.

It capped a remarkable return for the dynamic Dyer, who played alongside Shola Ameobi in an unfamiliar forward line.

Bramble knows more than most what his friend and team-mate had been going through as he battled to overcome liver and hamstring trouble.

But, having emerged unscathed through 76 minutes of action against the Saints, there is genuine optimism that Dyer could be ready to put all his troubles behind him.

That can only spell good news for Newcastle, after a season of torment in which a crippling injury list to star names has only recently started to ease.

Even now they remain without record buy Michael Owen, Stephen Carr and Steven Taylor, but Dyer's return has injected the pace that has been lacking without the £16m front-man.

Bramble believes if Newcastle can keep his former Ipswich team-mate fit then that will help the push for silverware, even if the next hurdle is Chelsea.

"It's good to have Kieron back because he's been out for so long," said Bramble. "No-one likes to be injured for so long and to come back and break down again has been very frustrating.

"I've been around him most days so it's kind of rubbed off on me. It's got me down a bit too. It's a bit of a fairytale for Kieron. So long as we stay in the FA Cup it doesn't matter who scores the goals.

"Hopefully now he'll keep scoring and take us to the final. It's been one of the criticisms of Kieron that he doesn't score enough goals but against Southampton he took it like someone who scores 20 goals a season. Let's hope it continues."

While being selected by England coach Sven Goran Eriksson remains only an outside chance because of his long lay-off, Dyer is being backed to travel to Germany.

If Dyer plays like he did against Southampton then Eriksson is sure to cast an eye over the player.

But if the 26-year-old, with just five other substitute appearances behind him this season, is going to head to the summer finals he will have to enjoy a long run in the Newcastle side.

"If he can stay fit and play week in, week out, I don't see why he can't go to the World Cup," said Bramble.

"It's going to be very tough to get in the squad but going forward he's so quick and what kind of players have we got like that?

"You've got Michael Owen but whereas he's on the shoulder of defenders, Kieron likes to drop in the hole and play from midfield. They both have electric pace and there are not many of those around, particularly English."

There is every chance Dyer will be asked to start as Ameobi's strike partner again tomorrow when Charlton visit Tyneside to play the rearranged fixture.

Alan Shearer, who sat out the FA Cup clash with Southampton, is only rated at 50-50 to return against the Addicks.

His calf injury will be assessed at the training ground this morning.

Read more about Newcastle United FC here.