Injury halts Ameobi move

Striker won't be fit before close of transfer window

Last updated: 19th August 2008

ameobi shola

Ameobi: Hamstring injury

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Ipswich Town's bid to sign Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi is on hold due to a hamstring injury.

The Championship club had agreed a fee with Newcastle for Ameobi, who travelled to Portman Road to undergo a medical.

However, tests have shown that the former England Under 21 international has not fully recovered from an injury sustained in pre-season.

With Ameobi unlikely to be fit before the close of the transfer window, Town boss Jim Magilton confirmed the deal will not go through.

Disappointing

"It's disappointing, but you have to be careful with hamstring injuries and we don't want a repeat of last season when Shefki Kuqi joined us and suffered a hamstring injury in his first game," Magilton told the club's official website.

Magilton could now turn his sights elsewhere for a new striker or move for Ameobi on a loan basis once the striker is back to fitness.

Ameobi is in the final year of his contract at St James' Park and there had also been suggestions the 26-year-old would wait to leave Newcastle on a free transfer.