Soccer: Robson makes England striker case for Dyer

BOBBY ROBSON yesterday reacted to Kieron Dyer’s all-action display in attack against Southampton by calling on Sven-Goran Eriksson to allow the 25-year-old to stake his claim for a striking berth at Euro 2004.

Dyer was promoted from his regular Newcastle midfield role to play alongside Alan Shearer at St Mary's and responded with his first goals for 11 months and 36 games.

The former Ipswich man buried the opener and, after Laurent Robert hit the second, notched a goal-of-the-season contender, racing from the halfway line and tearing Saints' defence apart.

Dyer's brace helped United to a 3-0 victory against last season's FA Cup finalists and earned the Magpies a place in today's fourth round draw.

Robson was so impressed with Dyer's attacking impetus, he will play him up front again when Newcastle face Leeds at St James' Park on Wednesday. Indeed, Shola Ameobi's fractured cheekbone and Craig Bellamy's knee injury means Dyer is likely to occupy a frontline place for the rest of the month.

Robson's plea to England boss Eriksson began: "Kieron is a player Sven certainly has to accommodate in his squad and he has to look at him in this position. Kieron's an England player and will be earmarked for the next squad so Sven must look at him and judge for himself.

"Kieron hasn't played regularly for England because of the competitiveness in midfield. Sven has Steven Gerrard, Paul Scholes, David Beckham and Nicky Butt, and they're all exceptional players.

"And up front you've got Michael Owen, who is very similar to Kieron, and Sven normally plays Emile Heskey or Wayne Rooney."

Dyer, who starred on the south coast just five days after a bowel operation, revealed he had been begging Robson to hand him a forward role for two months.

"I love playing up front and it's my favourite position," Dyer said. "I've been on at the manager for a while and said 'Is there any danger of me playing up front?'

"Now I've scored a couple of goals and hopefully given the manager a nice selection problem."

United's storming display at Southampton came days after chairman Freddy Shepherd slammed his team's performance in the first half of the season.

The club chief's comments had the desired effect and Dyer added: "There was a lot of criticism from the chairman and what hurt about it was that it could have been made in private.

"But he's a canny man and maybe knew that saying it would get our spirits up. It was a shock to hear what he said but we were challenging for the league last season and things haven't been that great this time."

United are a massive 20 points behind Premiership leaders Manchester United - level with Saints, whose Christmas slump has now stretched into the New Year.