NEWCASTLE UNITED have stated that Kieron Dyer’s medical condition does not threaten to bring a premature end to his playing career. The England international, who has made three unsuccessful comeback attempts this season, has suffered a liver complaint — unrelated to football or lifestyle issues — that has hindered his efforts to recover from long-term hamstring injuries.

Dyer, 26, is again to seek specialist advice as he looks for treatment that complements both medical problems and while the club have not put a timetable on his likely return to competitive football or confirmed the nature of his illness, Graeme Souness reiterated yesterday that he expects it to be “sooner rather than later”. The midfield player has intimated that the end of this month is a possibility.

“Kieron has a medical condition which is causing him problems,” the manager said. “It is stopping him training properly and getting fully fit. It is really important to point out that this is nothing that Kieron has done. This is not a lifestyle problem. He has just been a very unlucky young man.”

Dyer, who has started just two league matches, has consulted two specialists since August and the protracted nature of his absences have prompted wild speculation among supporters.

“We have heard all the talk, but we have to respect the player’s need for confidentiality on the matter,” Freddy Shepherd, the chairman, said.

“What I can say is that from the moment Graeme Souness arrived last September, neither the manager nor myself have had any complaints about him. He has been a model professional and he has lived like a monk.”