Newcastle United are the latest club to be linked with a move for Leeds United's Lee Bowyer.

Bowyer looks certain to leave Elland Road after refusing to sign a new contract, despite turning down a �9m move to Liverpool in the summer.

Spurs and Arsenal have also been touted as possible buyers, with Bowyer available on a free transfer at the end of the season.

But their interest has cooled, and now Sir Bobby Robson may be ready to step in.

The Newcastle manager revealed he is ready to move into the transfer market after Sunday's victory over Spurs, in which key midfielders Kieron Dyer, Nolberto Solano and Gary Speed all went off injured.

"The most important players are the ones who are here," claimed Robson.

"But we are looking," he added.

Newcastle could be without Speed for up to six weeks after Robson revealed the Welshman is facing a hernia operation.

Goalscorer Speed faces a hernia operation

"I would guarantee that Gary Speed will have an operation this week for a hernia, and it looks as though he's out for six weeks," the manager said.

And he added: "Kieron Dyer is due for a scan tomorrow on a calf condition which was very sore.

"It was pounding and he was in a lot of pain at half-time.

"Nobby (Solano) is in hospital having an X-ray. He was concussed, but we need to check it out to see what happens to him now."

Bowyer has fallen out of favour at Leeds and has been ditched by England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson after only one appearance against Portugal at Villa Park in September.

Signing him would be a gamble by Robson, but he may believe the influence of the experienced Alan Shearer could cool the wayward Bowyer.

Leeds would be happy to sell Bowyer when the transfer window opens, but the player may want to hold out to take advantage of a lucrative Bosman move at the end of the season.