Shola Ameobi vows to get goals in top flight

Jul 26 2010 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

SHOLA Ameobi says Newcastle United can bank on him for Premier League goals.

The homegrown striker has become something of a forgotten man since the emergence of Andy Carroll, who has snatched the coveted Newcastle number nine shirt for the upcoming top-flight campaign.

But he has a track record of scoring in the Premier League and looked sharp in the second half at Norwich, notching a neat poacher’s goal within seconds of coming on as a substitute.

With Chris Hughton still on the look-out for another attacking player, it served as a useful reminder of his abilities – prompting the United manager to hail him as an “out and out goalscorer” after the game, which ended in a 2-1 defeat.

“I know I can score goals in the Premier League,” Ameobi (pictured right) said.

“There’s not really an established pecking order at the moment, which maybe wasn’t always the case in the past when someone like Alan (Shearer) was around.

“Chances will come along for all the strikers, and you have to take them when they arrive.

“I was chosen to start last season and I scored a hat-trick in my first home game, but Andy got into the side and finished as top scorer. Things like that happen.

“Nobody knows what’s going to happen this season – you just have to make sure you give your all and make sure you’re in the best possible shape to show the manager that you’re ready for the task ahead.”