Newcastle United FC

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Ameobi eyes Fulham return

07 Sep 2006 - 14:49:08

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Newcastle United boss Glenn Roeder is optimistic Shola Ameobi will shake off a hip injury in time to face Fulham at St James' Park on Saturday.

The striker has been plagued by the problem for several years and was forced to sit out the goalless UEFA Cup clash against Ventspils and the Premiership defeat at Aston Villa after the symptoms returned.

The 24-year-old is eager to face the Cottagers and is willing to play through the pain barrier as he attempts to extend a run of form that has seen him score ten goals in his last 19 appearances.

Roeder told the Evening Chronicle: "If Shola Ameobi manages to climb off the treatment table on Saturday he will be making a heck of a statement as to how much he wants to play for Newcastle United.

"He is desperate to get back into the team and form a partnership with Oba Martins and this is something he is looking forward to.

"Whether this happens on Saturday I don't know, but what I do know is that at the start of the week he had absolutely no chance."

Should Ameobi miss out Roeder is likely to hand a debut to Italy Under-21 striker Giuseppe Rossi, who joined the Magpies on loan from Manchester United last week.