Stevedox
Nov 15 2003, 11:51 PM
Kieron Dyer is on course to join Jonathan Woodgate in Newcastle's squad to face Manchester City next weekend after the midfielder was given the all clear to make a competitive return on Monday.
United's England internationals will take on West Bromwich Albion's second string at Kingston Park next week in a bid to top up their match fitness in time for the visit of Kevin Keegan's men.
And Sir Bobby Robson foresees no problems as he prepares to welcome back two of the club's key players following lengthy injury lay-offs.
Woodgate, of course, managed 80 minutes for the reserves against Middlesbrough on Monday and will be keen to play a full match following a quiet week on the training pitch.
Dyer, by contrast, has not kicked a ball in anger since Newcastle won at the Riverside Stadium last month but a brief run-out for United's second string should do the trick for a player renowned for his natural fitness.
The former Ipswich favourite has been troubled by a painful hamstring tear for the past month and an injury which initially caused little concern has been slow to respond to treatment.
However, the Magpies' form until Sunday's 5-0 thrashing at Chelsea had been such that Robson has not felt the need to put undue pressure on Dyer. And by allowing the 24-year-old ample opportunity to recover, the Newcastle boss is confident Ruud Gullit's £6m signing will be in a position to slot straight back into United's starting 11.
Those members of the first team squad not away on international duty returned to training yesterday and only Andy Griffin and Craig Bellamy required trips to the treatment room.
The former is struggling to shake a hamstring strain while the latter is in the midst of a strict rehabilitation programme following surgery on his troublesome knee.
The Welsh international, bound to be a big miss when Wales take on Russia in the first leg of today's Euro 2004 play-off in Moscow, is walking without the aid of crutches.
And although Bellamy still requires a knee brace he is making remarkable progress less than a month after his operation in America.
"Things are going OK but I can't put a date on when I might return to training," admitted the former Professional Footballers Association Young Player of the Year.
"You just don't know with injuries like this and I have to tread carefully. But I'm thankful for all the help and support I'm receiving."
Robson, meanwhile, will be an anxious manager again this weekend as he awaits news on his internationals spread across the globe.
Gary Speed has a pivotal role to play for Wales, while Hugo Viana is in action for Portugal Under-21s in their European Championship play-off against France and Nikos Dabizas goes head to head with the Portuguese senior side in Aveiro. Jermaine Jenas looks set to win his latest cap for England during tomorrow's Old Trafford clash with Denmark, while Nolberto Solano is in action twice in four days for Peru - starting with the match against Brazil in Lima tomorrow.
United's England internationals will take on West Bromwich Albion's second string at Kingston Park next week in a bid to top up their match fitness in time for the visit of Kevin Keegan's men.
And Sir Bobby Robson foresees no problems as he prepares to welcome back two of the club's key players following lengthy injury lay-offs.
Woodgate, of course, managed 80 minutes for the reserves against Middlesbrough on Monday and will be keen to play a full match following a quiet week on the training pitch.
Dyer, by contrast, has not kicked a ball in anger since Newcastle won at the Riverside Stadium last month but a brief run-out for United's second string should do the trick for a player renowned for his natural fitness.
The former Ipswich favourite has been troubled by a painful hamstring tear for the past month and an injury which initially caused little concern has been slow to respond to treatment.
However, the Magpies' form until Sunday's 5-0 thrashing at Chelsea had been such that Robson has not felt the need to put undue pressure on Dyer. And by allowing the 24-year-old ample opportunity to recover, the Newcastle boss is confident Ruud Gullit's £6m signing will be in a position to slot straight back into United's starting 11.
Those members of the first team squad not away on international duty returned to training yesterday and only Andy Griffin and Craig Bellamy required trips to the treatment room.
The former is struggling to shake a hamstring strain while the latter is in the midst of a strict rehabilitation programme following surgery on his troublesome knee.
The Welsh international, bound to be a big miss when Wales take on Russia in the first leg of today's Euro 2004 play-off in Moscow, is walking without the aid of crutches.
And although Bellamy still requires a knee brace he is making remarkable progress less than a month after his operation in America.
"Things are going OK but I can't put a date on when I might return to training," admitted the former Professional Footballers Association Young Player of the Year.
"You just don't know with injuries like this and I have to tread carefully. But I'm thankful for all the help and support I'm receiving."
Robson, meanwhile, will be an anxious manager again this weekend as he awaits news on his internationals spread across the globe.
Gary Speed has a pivotal role to play for Wales, while Hugo Viana is in action for Portugal Under-21s in their European Championship play-off against France and Nikos Dabizas goes head to head with the Portuguese senior side in Aveiro. Jermaine Jenas looks set to win his latest cap for England during tomorrow's Old Trafford clash with Denmark, while Nolberto Solano is in action twice in four days for Peru - starting with the match against Brazil in Lima tomorrow.