Shola confident of beating his injury

Aug 28 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

SHOLA Ameobi is confident that he will recover from injury in time to continue the “best form of his life” on Monday night.

The striker notched his fifth goal of the season in the Carling Cup victory against Huddersfield, but sparked injury fears when he was withdrawn in the final minute of the game after landing awkwardly on his ankle.

Ameobi was sporting a plastic surgical boot after the game and sat out training yesterday, but believes he should be back for Leicester City’s visit on Bank Holiday Monday – news which will come as a relief to Chris Hughton after the relative struggles of his young guns against fired-up Huddersfield.

Nile Ranger is undoubtedly a terrific prospect but will need to be carefully managed in his first season of first-team football – making Ameobi’s fitness even more vital.

“I don’t think my injury is too bad, so I’m hoping Monday should be all right,” he said. “I just fell on it, landed on it funny and felt a little pop in there, so hopefully I haven’t done much damage. But it’s calmed down a bit now, so I’m hoping it’s nothing serious.

“A few of the boys came off worse for wear against Huddersfield and obviously with our limited amount of players it’s going to be important to keep everyone fit and healthy.”

Ameobi has emerged as the unlikely hero of United’s attempts to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking, putting three seasons of inconsistency behind him to make his presence felt in the second tier.

Fitness has obviously helped, but Ameobi also reckons being guaranteed first-team football and made to feel an integral part of the side has aided his development this season.

“I’m scoring goals. I had a good run under Glen Roeder when I was playing week in, week out and for me that’s the essence – playing every week and getting that confidence up,” he said. “As a striker you’re going to miss chances but it’s getting the next one and I feel that when I get a run of games I become battle-hardened to playing.