Roeder pinning hopes on Dyer

Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder believes Kieron Dyer is the man capable of lifting the gloom on Tyneside.

The Magpies are third from bottom in The Premiership following a torrid start to the season and injuries to key players has been another dent to morale.

Dyer, though, is on the brink of making a return to the starting line-up for the first time in seven months and Roeder has backed him to spark a revival.

"In the position we are in at the moment, Kieron is going to be a massive player for us," said Roeder.

"He has to stay fit - he deserves that luck and we deserve that luck that Kieron Dyer stays fit all year. If he does, we will get a huge benefit.

"He has this ability to carry the ball from the halfway line down to the other end to relieve the pressure on the defence, and while he is doing that, create goalscoring opportunities for us, as well as take one or two himself."

Summer signing Obafemi Martins could also return against Arsenal at the weekend and Roeder has backed the Nigerian to forge a successful partnership with Dyer.

"What we want is for Oba to find a partnership with another player. Oba and Kieron have not had a lot of chances to play together," stated Roeder.

"We know Nobby Solano and Kieron have a terrific partnership and when they play together, Nobby has a knack of finding Kieron on his runs.

"I would like to think Kieron and Oba will link up well and form a decent partnership in terms of Kieron coming from an offensive position in midfield and Oba starting from his striking position."