FORMER Ipswich Town football star Kieron Dyer is facing an appearance in the courtroom rather than the football field.The 23-year-old Newcastle United and England midfielder has been charged with letting another drive a vehicle without motor insurance.

FORMER Ipswich Town football star Kieron Dyer is facing an appearance in the courtroom rather than the football field.

The 23-year-old Newcastle United and England midfielder has been charged with letting another drive a vehicle without motor insurance.

The offence is alleged to have taken place in Rougham Road, Bury St Edmunds, on August 4 last year.

The £22 million-rated footballer was due to appear before St Edmundsbury magistrates yesterday to face a charge of causing or permitting the use of a motor vehicle without insurance.

But the initial hearing was dealt with in his absence and, after his solicitor sent a letter to the court, the case was adjourned until March 15 to be heard at Sudbury Magistrates' Court.

Dyer, of Westgate Road, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, is a co-defendant in the case with James Leech, 22, of Brookfield Road, Ipswich.

Leech is charged with using a motor vehicle without insurance and failing to produce a valid certificate of motor insurance to the police.

Ipswich-born Dyer, who was bought by Newcastle United for £6m during the summer of 1999, has missed most of this season due to injury.

However, he has been widely tipped to be part of Sven-Goran Eriksson's England squad for the World Cup this summer.

Dyer made his England debut against Luxembourg in September 1999, having moved up from the England Under-21 and B squads.

Recent transfer rumours, valuing Dyer at about £22m, have linked him with possible moves to either Leeds United or Real Madrid.