Ameobi confident of a big impression

18 January 2011 09:35
ALAN Pardew might have outlined his desire to sign an attacker during the current transfer window, but Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi is confident he can be like a new signing now he has regained full fitness.[LNB] Pardew's hopes of signing Jay Bothroyd faded considerably yesterday, with Cardiff boss Dave Jones rejecting Newcastle's approach and claiming the England international has no desire to move to St James' Park.[LNB] With the transfer deadline now less than a fortnight away, there is a chance the Magpies could be left without a new forward this month, a situation that would increase Ameobi's importance to the club.[LNB] The Nigeria-born forward produced an outstanding attacking display as Newcastle claimed a point in Sunday's Wear-Tyne derby, outmuscling Sunderland defender Titus Bramble and leading the line with power and poise.[LNB] He has been restricted to just 11 Premier League starts this season, as a succession of niggling injuries have hampered his campaign.[LNB] But having shrugged off an ankle problem to line up against the Black Cats, Ameobi is hoping to enjoy an extended run as the spearhead of the Newcastle attack.[LNB] It's been one thing after another and that's very frustrating,[LNB] said the 29-year-old, whose powerful back-post header led to Kevin Nolan's opener at the weekend. But I'm fit now and hopefully I'll stay that way. I've heard the talk (about another attacker coming in), but I'm confident in my ability and I know the job I can do.[LNB] When I'm on my game, I know that I can mix it with the best defenders in the country.[LNB] After the injuries I've had, I just want to be out on the pitch. I want to help the boys in what we're trying to achieve this season.[LNB] In order to guarantee his participation in Sunday's game, Ameobi followed a limited training programme that reduced the strain on his hamstrings.[LNB] With Andy Carroll set to miss Saturday's home game with Tottenham, Newcastle's medical staff will again be monitoring the striker's fitness closely this week.[LNB] In the longer term, Ameobi may need surgery to repair a long-standing problem, but having missed so much football already this season, the striker is willing to play through the pain barrier.[LNB] I haven't really been able to train since November, he said. It was my hamstrings originally, then I went over on my ankle, and then my hamstrings were causing me a bit of a problem again.[LNB] I'm just trying to get through to the end of the season, then we'll sort the problem out properly. It almost seems like I've been playing through injury all through my career, but I want to be playing.[LNB] Ameobi's availability has eased the pressure that might otherwise have been created by Carroll's absence with a thigh injury.[LNB] Nevertheless, Pardew remains hopeful of securing at least one high-profile addition this month, despite his struggles to strike a deal for Bothroyd.[LNB] Newcastle officials are understood to have tabled an offer worth around £1.5m on Thursday night, but it has been rejected by the Cardiff hierarchy.[LNB] We've had one inquiry for him, and Jay knows about it,[LNB] said Bluebirds boss Jones. I had a long chat with Jay yesterday, and I'm sure Jay won't mind me saying, Jay wants to stay at this football club'.[LNB] Even the club we spoke about, Jay says he doesn't want to go to.[LNB] Pardew remains hopeful of striking a deal, but Mike Ashley is reluctant to sanction too high an outlay.[LNB] The Newcastle owner remains committed to keeping the club's budget in balance, an approach Pardew can understand given the transfer failings of the past.[LNB] Obviously, I want the best players I can get, said the Newcastle boss. But it has to come under a remit of the financial situation at the club, which is stable and healthy now, even though there have obviously been a lot of mistakes in the past.[LNB] That has made the owner a little bit wary of transfers, and I have to build that trust with him and make sure he believes in the signings I make.[LNB] Can I understand him being wary Yes. They have had some really, really big disasters here in terms of big transfer fees being paid and not a lot of success out of that.[LNB] He obviously understands the game better than he has ever done, and we want to buy good young players that can take the club forward.[LNB] Nile Ranger reinforced his first-team credentials with a hat-trick in yesterday's 5-1 reserves win over Wigan.[LNB] Ranger, who has tumbled to fifth in Newcastle's attacking pecking order in recent weeks, helped a strong second-string side including Dan Gosling, James Perch and Xisco record a comfortable success.[LNB] Perch and Paul Dummett were also on the scoresheet at Newcastle's Darsley Park training ground.[LNB] NEWCASTLE: Soderberg, Perch (Leadbitter 65), Dummett, McLaughlin, J Henderson, Folan, Newton, Gosling, Ranger, Xisco (Sam Ameobi 73), Ferguson.[LNB]

Source: Northern_Echo