KIERON Dyer wants Robert Lee to have his old No 7 shirt back next season.

But Dyer's immediate aim to shake off a bout of the flu and keep the shirt for Saturday's game with bottom- of-the-table Watford at St James's Park.

Dyer was handed the No.7 shirt by Ruud Gullit following his #6 million move from Ipswich in the summer.

In contrast Lee was not given a squad number by the

Dutchman and when the long-serving midfielder was belatedly and deservedly brought into the squad he had to settle for No.37.

However Dyer said today: "I think the No.7 shirt really belongs to Robert Lee - and if he wants it back next season that will be fine with me.

"I would be only too willing to hand it over and find a new number for myself."

Like the rest of the United first team squad Dyer was given the day off yesterday and he was laid low with the flu bug.

And he said today: "I am still feeling a bit weak and I will leave it up to the medical staff as to when I get back into training."

Dyer still has a couple of days to recover but Bobby Robson is in a position these days in which he does not have to take a risk with anyone.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2000

Answers

Left a bit weak in front of goal was that?

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2000

Great gesture - the kid's got real class.

It is entirely proper that "The General" finishes his career at SJP wearing the No.7 shirt. The man is a legend.

They have a custom in US pro sports whereby when a true legend retires his shirt number is retired also. It's a really nice gesture if slightly over-melodramatic. This would make a great thread - which Toon shirts would have been retired to date and by who? Worth starting?

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2000

Number 40 would be retired in case it's contagious...

-- Anonymous, March 10, 2000

I always liked Ferdinand asking whether he could have had the no 99 shirt when Shearer joined. That would have been lush. Who would actually get the no 9 shirt - Milburn, Supermac, Cole, Ferdinand, Shearer....Rafferty?

-- Anonymous, March 10, 2000

The Number 9 shirt is retired ...to: beardo

Surely you've forgotten Rob McDonald, and George Riley?

Actually, this one is dead easy - there's no question about it - the one and only, J.E.T. Milburn (RIP), a gentleman, a true superstar, our eternal Geordie hero.

-- Anonymous, March 10, 2000

And of course Mick Quinn, four goals on his debut against Leeds.

Didn't Waddle wear number 9 too

-- Anonymous, March 10, 2000

Well, I don't know what numbers they wore but they were legends: Joe Harvey, Hughie Gallacher

-- Anonymous, March 10, 2000