Source: Eurosport
Ameobi happy to finally have chance
Shola Ameobi is relishing his new-found status of Newcastle hero after living in the shadows of big-name team-mates for years.
The 27-year-old, who was thrust into the senior squad as teenager by then boss Sir Bobby Robson, has waited patiently in line behind the likes of Alan Shearer, Craig Bellamy, Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins and Mark Viduka for a chance to prove his worth on a consistent basis.
However, the ongoing off-field problems have seen him rise to the fore once again and a man who has not always been appreciated by the fans is suddenly a crowd favourite.
Ameobi's hat-trick against Reading on Saturday earned him loud cheers when he was introduced to a crowd of 43,904 ahead of the game against Sheffield Wednesday at St James' Park.
But the applause was even louder when he left the pitch at full-time having scored the only goal to fire his home-town club into third place in the Coca-Cola Championship.
Ameobi said: "It's something that hasn't happened often over the years but I'm delighted. I have finally got a chance to get a run in the team and to prove I can score goals. The last time was under Glenn Roeder, which was a very fruitful time for me because I was playing games. Hopefully I can stay fit and continue in this good vein of form."
