Newcastle boss Graeme Souness is determined to tie up the long-term future of England midfielder Keiron Dyer by Christmas.

The Scot has spent the last few weeks attempting to attract new players to Tyneside and having already captured £6.5million signing Scott Parker, is currently pursuing Inter Milan's Emre Belozoglu and Fulham's Luis Boa Morte.

However, one of his main priorities over the next few months will be to keep 26-year-old Dyer at St James' Park beyond the end of his current deal, which expires at the end of next season.

"Kieron Dyer has another year left and I hope between now and Christmas, he will sign another contract" said Souness. "I am sure we can make it happen.

"I have been very happy with him - I see him as a proper player and I have enjoyed working with him. I want to keep him at the club."

Chairman Freddy Shepherd has already held preliminary talks with Dyer's representatives after the player engineered a remarkable turn-around in his fortunes.

The former Ipswich midfielder's time on Tyneside looked to have come to an end in August last year when he was dropped by former boss Sir Bobby Robson after refusing to play out of position in the opening game of the new campaign at Middlesbrough.

His stance incurred the wrath of the Toon Army, and he did little to redeem his reputation with new manager Souness when he was hauled into a city police station after being caught urinating in the street.

However, in the face of a chorus of boos and cat-calls, he got his head down and rehabilitated himself to such an extent that his departure through injury after giving his side a 2-0 aggregate lead over UEFA Cup quarter-final opponents Sporting Lisbon is widely regarded as the point at which the club's season began to unravel.

Souness sees Dyer as a possible partner for skipper Alan Shearer during the final year of the 34-year-old's career and an out-and-out attacking player beyond that despite his continuing search for strikers.

One of the current crop, Craig Bellamy, is due return to the club next Monday for the start of pre-season training unless one of the club's chasing him makes a decisive move.

Champions League qualifiers Everton have returned to the head of the queue after Shepherd told Celtic that he will not even consider another temporary deal for the 25-year-old.

The Glasgow club have first option on the player, but Newcastle are not hopeful about a substantial cash bid and with new manager Gordon Strachan pursuing other targets, there is little expectation that the Welshman will end up north of the border, where he spent the second half of last season on loan.

Souness is desperate for the cash Bellamy's sale would bring in as he plots further transfer moves - the club is still attempting to push through a deal for Turkish international Emre, although progress in recent days has been slow.

It is understood money remains the stumbling block with a fee yet to be agreed with Inter and the player's personal terms still under discussion, and while Newcastle believe they can better what Everton are prepared to pay, they are becoming increasingly frustrated at the delay.