Source: Northern_Echo
Ameobi puts his future on the line
SHOLA Ameobi is putting his career on the line to help Newcastle United secure their Premier League status this season.[LNB] Ameobi returned to firstteam action against Everton at the weekend, little more than a month after fracturing a cheekbone in the goalless draw at Fulham.[LNB] Having undergone surgery to repair the damage, the striker travelled to Detroit last month to enable facial injury expert Jeremy Murray to fit him with a protective face mask.[LNB] The mask, which is similar to headgear commonly worn in the NBA, is designed to prevent future collisions causing additional damage to Ameobi's cheekbone.[LNB] If it is unsuccessful, however, the 29-year-old has been warned that further surgery is all but impossible because of the weakness of the bone.[LNB] As a result, another fracture could cause irreparable damage and potentially place Ameobi's footballing future in doubt.[LNB] I know I've taken a risk a big risk because the surgeon has told me if it does go again, then he won't operate on it because it would be too dangerous, said the striker.[LNB] So it is a big risk on my part.[LNB] But I wanted to do this as much as the club did.[LNB] It's great that the club obviously want me back as quickly as possible, and I also have that willingness to play.[LNB] It's very frustrating when you're on the sidelines and I'm never one who wants to sit it out. I always want to get back as quickly as possible.[LNB] This gave me a chance to do that, so I was up for it as well and hopefully it will all come good for me.[LNB] Initially, Ameobi admits he struggled to get used to the sensation of playing in the mask, which is fashioned from a similar material to bullet- proof glass.[LNB] He trained in the face gear all last week, however, and while he was unable to add to his seven-goal tally for the season at the weekend, his performance did not appear to be adversely affected by his headwear.[LNB] He will continue to train in the mask for the next fortnight, and is hoping to force his way into the starting lineup for Newcastle's next Premier League outing, an away game at Stoke City on March 19.[LNB] The mask is see-through so, aesthetically, it's not too bad, said Ameobi. It's solid and moulded to my face, but when you move around and sweat it creates a bit of movement that ideally you wouldn't want.[LNB] Having something on your face that you're not used to is strange, and it's not so much the fact it's there, it's making sure you don't think about it and just get on with it.[LNB] Any little thing that distracts you like that will put you off your game, so it's about trying to get over that mental hurdle of knowing it's there and just dealing with it.[LNB] Meanwhile, Alan Pardew will not be risking Joey Barton or Stephen Ireland in tomorrow's reserve game with Arsenal.[LNB] The pair will train this week despite not being involved at the weekend, but Pardew would rather protect them for the forthcoming trip to Stoke rather than ask them to play in a second-string outing.[LNB] There are one or two players who need a game, said the Magpies manager.[LNB] Sometimes you need 90 minutes under your belt to feel confident, but we're going to have to look at that carefully and obviously not put anyone at risk.[LNB] There will certainly be no Joey Barton or Stephen Ireland playing (tomorrow), it's more important to look after them and make sure they're right for the Stoke game.[LNB] Newcastle reserves have been paired with Ashington in the semi-final of the Northumberland FA Senior Cup. The other last four game sees Newcastle Benfield take on Blyth Spartans.[LNB]
