Ameobi could quit Magpies
12 Oct 2007 - 14:13:56
Newcastle United's Shola Ameobi has admitted he may be forced to quit St James' Park should he fail to win a regular first-team place after reaching a crossroads in his career.
The 26-year-old frontman has struggled with a succession of injuries in recent seasons and now finds himself behind Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins and Mark Viduka in manager Sam Allardyce's pecking order.
Ameobi has started just one Premier League game this season and, after seven years with the Magpies, has admitted it may be time to move on.
"Playing football is the most important thing for me and I've got to be doing that, whether it's here or somewhere else," he told the Newcastle Journal.
"If I'm not playing here, it might have to be something I look at because I need football.
"That hasn't changed and it's something I'll deal with if and when the time comes. I'm focused on being the best I can be, but I can't do that if I'm not playing.
"It's not the best scenario, but if it ever came to it, I would have to make a big decision.
"But I still believe that I can help this club achieve what it wants to."
The former England Under-21 striker has made over 200 appearances during eight seasons on Tyneside.