Robson all smiles - despite Dyer blow

Newcastle's season may be all but over, but Kieron Dyer's fitness is one issue that will run and run.

The England midfielder's latest injury of a troubled season, a groin problem, forced him out of the victory over West Ham with six minutes remaining.

Dyer has struggled to train fully for the last fortnight but Newcastle manager Bobby Robson dispelled any thoughts of another prolonged absence. Robson said: 'He needs a rest and should get that now. We expect him to be fine for our last game.'

With no match until the final Premiership fixtures on Sunday week, Dyer faces a week off before he can return to training.

Against West Ham, Dyer and his team-mates played as if they had just come back from a week's rest, in the first half at least. They were fortunate not to be 5-0 down and would have been but for wayward finishing and the agility of Shay Given. Yet, Jermain Defoe's fine opening strike was cancelled out by the equally emphatic finish from Alan Shearer just before half-time which gave Robson the opportunity to have his say.

Robson said: 'We were Joke United in the first half. We could have been dead but we were excellent after the break.'

Shearer's assist came from French winger Laurent Robert, his 15th of the season. He supplied Lomano Lua-Lua's third goal and somersault in four games before scoring himself after his own lob had hit the post.

The result was hard on West Ham boss Glenn Roeder, who has sought Robson's advice during a testing season. 'After you've spoken to Bobby you feel totally refreshed,' he said.