Source: PA
Ameobi backed to fill Carroll void
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is hoping Shola Ameobi can plug the gap left by the devastating loss of Andy Carroll for Sunday's derby trip to Sunderland.
The pair teamed up to stunning effect in the Magpies' 5-1 drubbing of their nearest and dearest rivals in October last year, with Ameobi scoring twice as skipper Kevin Nolan plundered a hat-trick.
However, both men have been sidelined by injuries in recent weeks and while Ameobi returned to training today, he did so in the knowledge that Carroll will play no part at the Stadium of Light - with the thigh injury which has ruled him out of the club's last three games nowhere near healed.
Ameobi has made something of a habit of finding the net in derby encounters over the last few years, and provided he can prove his fitness after an ankle problem, Pardew is convinced he can lead the fight once again.
The manager said: "Shola has played brilliantly since I have been here, and I am a big admirer of his. He knows this club inside-out, he knows what it means, so he's a very important figure in the team and in the dressing room.
"We will have to see how he comes through tomorrow (Saturday). It was his first day's real training today, but I am confident he will be available and I will select the team on the day, probably."
