Michael Walker talks to the Newcastle United midfielder about stepping onto the big stage
Footballers do not spare the rod when it comes to dishing out nicknames, and the squad at Newcastle United is no different. There are two players called Blockhead by their team-mates at St James' Park. There is one called Pinhead. Pinhead is Kieron Courtney Dyer.
It would appear from this that, according to Newcastle's players, Dyer's narrow shoulders have not borne a heavy physical burden during their 23-year existence. That is about to change.
Dyer is not about to put weight on from the neck up, but the amount of responsibility being dumped on the young man's way is currently being measured by the shedload.
Not that Dyer seemed even remotely perturbed about the fuss as he met the press outside Chester last night.
"No," he replied to a question about pressure and expectation, "I take it as a compliment. I was reading at the weekend that I'm the man maybe to replace David Beckham. I take that as a compliment. I don't get pressured, I'm a confident lad."
No one could disagree on this evidence. Even when Dyer came off "the famous FA treadmill" for the England fitness test in January with a fracture in the same toe-bone as Beckham has his break in, he said that he was "extremely confident that I'd get fit and be back in the squad".
He has been in concentrated training since his left foot sustained that stress fracture and, given that he had missed around 12 months of the previous 14, never featured under Sven-Goran Eriksson, and does seem prone to some form of osteoporosis, his assertiveness was as impressive as it was surprising.
But nothing fazes Dyer apparently, certainly not the prospect of being England's left-hand saviour. "I like to be central because you're involved," he said. "Sometimes on the wing you are reliant on other people giving you the ball. But my first season under Bobby Robson, I played about 20 or 30 games on the left. I played a bit loose, a licence to roam, and I really enjoyed it."
Newcastle fans might think that a bit loose in terms of memory: Dyer always played inside Gary Speed.
Dyer is also known for hyperactivity on and off the pitch which has seen him become involved in exploits outside football perhaps best described as sexually flamboyant. He refers to Robson as "my second Dad" and the manager "has had to hammer me" occasionally.
"He has pulled me aside and said that as well as wanting to make me a better footballer he wants to make me a better man."
It is almost three years since his first England international and 18 months since the last of his eight caps. Some thought Beckham's absence at Anfield would be an opportunity on the right for Dyer, but he will be asked to fill the position that used to be known as left midfield.
Guardian Service
