By Matthew Jones
October 23 2003

Newcastle United midfielder Kieron Dyer last night described Craig Bellamy's knee injury agony after revealing how the Welsh striker had tried to play through the pain barrier. Newcastle United midfielder Kieron Dyer last night described Craig Bellamy's knee injury agony after revealing how the Welsh striker had tried to play through the pain barrier.

Dyer has said that everyone at Newcastle United had been "devastated" this week at the news that that bellamy needed a fourth major operation on his knee in five years, which will keep him on the sidelines until next year - although Bellamy hopes to return before Christmas.

Bellamy, who is rumoured to be considering turning his back on Wales in a bid to preserve his career, returns to Tyneside after his operation in the USA at the weekend and Dyer insisted the 24-year-old had been doing all he could to avoid another lengthy lay-off.

Dyer explained: "Craig has been playing through the pain barrier all season and I knew that. He didn't want people to know because he thought it would help the opposition. He felt it would go away with rest, but it was getting worse and worse and the pain was simply getting too much for him in games.

"I knew how he was feeling, but the Press and the fans didn't. I felt really sorry for him when he was getting criticised for not scoring enough goals this season because people had no idea the discomfort he was in. We were all devastated when we heard he was going to have to have another operation, but it is the best thing for him.

"Hopefully this will end the problem and he can come back 100pc fit. He has had terrible luck with his knees, but after this operation everyone feels he will be able to get his career back on track. He is a massive player for us after all.

"I know what he is going through because I've had my fair share of injuries.

"And it is especially frustrating when you come back from one, start to find your form, and then get another.

"But the club will help him through it, just like they helped me and have helped Alan Shearer in the past. He will be back."

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