Newcastle United FC

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Better news for Shola

26 Sep 2006 - 11:42:24

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Newcastle United boss Glenn Roeder hopes Shola Ameobi will be able to play in Thursday's UEFA Cup first round second leg clash against Levadia Tallinn after a positive scan on the striker's ankle.

Ameobi had to be substituted in the first half of Sunday's 1-1 draw with Everton after firing United ahead, and there were fears he faced a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

However, Roeder confirmed: "Shola has had his scan on his ankle and nothing came up and it is feeling a lot better which is good news."

Ameobi will now join his team-mates in training for Thursday's match.

Roeder is unsure whether Damien Duff's thigh injury will have improved in time for Thursday's game though.

The former Blackburn and Chelsea star missed Sunday's match and Roeder added: "Damien's absence will not be a long one but we don't know yet whether he will be fit to play on Thursday or Sunday.

"He is due to go off on international duty with the Republic of Ireland next week but he has to prove his fitness with us first."