Dyer has been out of action since February with a shin injury which required two operations. But he is now back in full training and pencilled in for a run-out in the reserves at Bolton on Wednesday night which could pave the way for him to force his way into the 16 at Portman Road.

‘‘It’s been a dreadful long time,’’ admitted Robson as he prepared his side for their trip to Charlton tomorrow and a mission to end their 27-game run without a win in London.

‘‘It would be a terrific boost. He’s a special player. He’s obviously got World Cup thoughts in his mind and the only way he’s going to get into the World Cup is to get playing in the Premiership and playing to the best of his ability.

‘‘He’s got a tough nut to crack to get into the England team, but he has the capabilities to do it, there’s no doubt about that.

‘‘He’s been out a long time and it will take him two or three weeks to get into the rhythm of the Premiership game and to get his touch right. But he’s such a naturally fit man, I think he’ll do that quite easily.’’

Dyer’s return will add to United’s attacking options, although Robson is quite happy with what he already has at his disposal.

The four goals they scored in the Worthington Cup victory over Ipswich on Tuesday night took their tally for the season to 47 in 22 games, a record which sees them lying fourth in the Premiership table and through to the quarter-finals of the cup competition.

It is a situation for which Robson admits he would have settled back in August.

‘‘I thought last year we would improve the side, but we did well to finish 11th with Alan Shearer, Kieron Dyer and Carl Cort all being out, and other injuries,’’ he said.

‘‘I never once played my best side last year. Once we got Craig Bellamy and we knew Alan was going to be fit, we thought maybe seventh or eighth. so this is better.

‘‘We’re not talking about going to London tomorrow. There’s enough motivation for the players themselves not to think about London, but to think that by doing well at Charlton, we’ll stay in fourth position.

‘‘That’s the ambition, not where we’re playing but where we are in the league.’’

Robson’s plans are being hampered by a virus which has hit three key first-team members, with Bellamy ruled out of the Ipswich game through illness and Aaron Hughes having to come off at half-time.

Full-back Robbie Elliott was sent home from training yesterday, but United are hopeful that all three will be able to take their places in the squad.

Meanwhile, striker Cort will jet out to America hours after his team-mates arrive back on Tyneside for his consultation with top specialist Richard Steadman.

Robson, who played down claims that the 24-year-old could be sidelined for a further year by the knee problem he picked up at the start of the season, is keeping his fingers crossed that the news will be encouraging.

‘‘Carl flies out on Sunday and sees Mr Steadman on Monday, and after that consultation, we’ll know exactly what the position is,’’ he said.

‘‘The decision will be made between our two surgeons and we can only wait until then.’’

The Newcastle party set out for London today knowing that they face another trip to the capital in the Worthington Cup after last night’s draw handed them a tough test against Chelsea.

‘‘It’s unkind, that’s all I would say,’’ said Robson. ‘‘But we have to get on with it.

‘‘We can’t change it and it means that whichever of the two teams gets through, they’ll have a better chance of winning it because one good team will be knocked out and others will fall.’’