Graeme Souness has leapt to the defence of the under-fire Jean-Alain Boumsong.
Graeme Souness has leapt to the defence of his under-fire Newcastle defender Jean-Alain Boumsong.
Boumsong arrived at St James' Park last season in an £8 million switch from Rangers but a series of high-profile mistakes have led many to question the judgement of Souness.
The Scot, however, insists problems off the field have made Boumsong's Premiership initiation more fraught than it might otherwise have been.
Serious illnesses to his wife and son have forced Boumsong to commute between Newcastle and his ailing family in France and Souness believes the trauma has inevitably had a detrimental impact on his performances in a black and white shirt.
"Jean-Alain has had problems off the pitch. His little lad off the pitch has had several operations and his wife has been seriously ill," said Souness.
"Jean-Alain has had a great deal to put up with.
"People don't realise how much it affects him but he has got on with his game."
Souness hailed the character of Boumsong and insists that slowly but surely the Frenchman is becoming accustomed to The Premiership's cut and thrust.
"I work with him every day and I can see his character," added Souness.
"He is the first one to hold up his hand if he makes a mistake. He is still new and getting used to English football.
"He has been in our football nearly a year and I'm very happy with him."
Saturday's 3-2 win at West Ham lifted everyone at St James' Park and Souness may have further cause to celebrate with Kieron Dyer poised to make a Boxing Day return.
Dyer has been dogged by injuries but has targeted the match with Liverpool in which to make his latest comeback.
Souness remains wary of rushing Dyer back too soon but believes that regular first team football could yet see him force his way into Sven Goran Eriksson's World Cup reckoning.
"Kieron's return would be an ideal Christmas present for everyone at the club," added the Scot.
"We are monitoring him week by week and he is trying something new.
"We are just hoping we can get him back playing regular football.
"Can he make the World Cup? Why not?"
