In November, the 27-year-old broke down in front of his team-mates and later described himself as “suicidal” after another failed attempt to resume his career. Over the past 19 months, he has been jeered by supporters after a dispute with Sir Bobby Robson, the former manager, fought with Lee Bowyer, been awarded a new contract and had a complex medical complaint diagnosed.

Given that context, as well as the concern caused by his brittle hamstrings, caution should follow whenever Dyer’s name is mentioned, but the moment when the England player secured a 1-0 win, collecting a through-pass from Charles N’Zogbia in the 68th minute, shooting low and hurling himself into the Gallowgate End, was heartening. A booking was inconsequential. In his first start since August, playing as an auxiliary forward, there was a surplus of energy to be released. “You could see from my celebration just how much it meant to me,” Dyer said. “A lot of frustration came out there and a lot of relief. I knew I would get booked, but to be honest, I don’t care. I just wanted to go straight into the fans and show them how much it mattered.”

Newcastle’s goal brought a smile to the face of George Burley, the Southampton manager, who gave Dyer his first-team debut at Ipswich Town in 1996. “He was 17 and a smashing lad,” he said. “I feel like I brought him up as a kid. Never had a day’s trouble with him. If he performs like this I’m sure he’ll get into England’s World Cup squad.”

This was Glenn Roeder’s third consecutive win as Newcastle’s caretaker manager and if the win was less convincing than league performances against Portsmouth and Aston Villa, momentum is building. Dominant in the first half, when they twice struck the woodwork, Newcastle faded in the second, allowing Kenwyne Jones to draw a fine save from Shay Given and Peter Madsen to shave the crossbar. Having deployed their three substitutes, Southampton lost Bartosz Bialkowski, their accomplished young goalkeeper, to injury, obliging a bemused Dexter Blackstock to fill in.

Southampton have dispensed with 17 players over the past month and are locked in a takeover battle, but their commitment did Burley credit. Newcastle were durable. Dyer’s relief was shared by fans and, standing in the dug-out like a gaffer-in-waiting, by Alan Shearer. Absent from the team with a strained calf, he had spoken forcefully in the dressing-room before and afterwards. Dreams are still alive.

Newcastle United (4-4-2): S Given — P Ramage, J A Boumsong, T Bramble, R Elliott — N Solano, S Parker, E Belozöglu, C N’Zogbia — K Dyer (sub: L Bowyer, 76), S Ameobi (sub: A Luque, 70). Substitutes not used: S Harper, A Faye, L Clark. Booked: Dyer

Southampton (5-3-2): B Bialkowski — A Ostlund, D Powell, C Lundekvam (sub: D Potter, 46), M Cranie, J Brennan — M Oakley, J Wright, M Pahars (sub: N Dyer, 46) — P Madsen, K Jones (sub: D Blackstock, 77). Substitutes not used: P Smith, D Kenton

Referee: M Atkinson

Explore Football

• Premier League

• Football League

• Scotland

• European Football

• International Football

• Live Match Tracker

• The Fink Tank

• Fantasy Football