NEWCASTLE United outcast Nile Ranger says he is “starving” for the chance to prove his worth.

The talented but troubled striker has been loaned to Championship side Barnsley until the New Year after being totally frozen out at St James’ Park.

Ranger (pictured right) has not played first-team football for the Magpies since May, and has only featured twice for the reserves this season. But with four-and-a-half years still remaining on his generous contract and more baggage than Heathrow’s arrivals hall, getting a permanent move away is likely to be troublesome for the 20-year-old.

For now he is pleased to be in a town lacking Newcastle’s attractions and familiarity to prove his worth as a footballer.

“This is a fresh start for me and it is up to me now to perform as I can do,” said the London-born player. “I am hungry – in fact, I am starving for it. I know I have got to keep my nose clean off the pitch and that is what I will be trying hard to do.

“I don’t exactly know many people in Barnsley so there is not much that is going to distract me from my game.

“So this is a good move for me because it means I can just focus on my football.

“It is great here and I have settled in really well. This is a very good Barnsley team but if I get in and start games then I shall definitely score goals.”

An England Under-19 international, Ranger’s talent has never been in doubt but his lifestyle has been a constant problem. He was released by Southampton after spending time in a Young Offenders Institute, and snapped up by Newcastle – keen to sign talented youngsters while they still fell within their price range – in 2008.

He has scored three goals for United, though none have come in the Premier League. Only 11 of his 58 appearances for the club have been starts.

Sammy Ameobi has leapfrogged Ranger in the pecking order behind Demba Ba, Leon Best, Shola Ameobi and Peter Løvenkrands.