Newcastle have quality to remain in Premier League, says Shola Ameobi

Former striker Shola Ameobi is confident Newcastle will stay up but admits he is disappointed at the prospect of no Tyne-Wear derby next season.

Tuesday's 1-1 draw at home to Manchester City leaves 19th-placed Newcastle a point behind neighbours Sunderland and two adrift of Norwich as the clubs fight to retain their Premier League status.

Ameobi scored seven goals in Tyne-Wear derbies, and though he will be sad to see at least one of Newcastle or Sunderland drop out of the top-flight, the 34-year-old is in no doubt about who he wants to remain in the division.   

"I still believe that the club will be in the Premier League come the end of the season," Ameobi said of Newcastle's survival chances.

"With the manager and the quality that's there, it's just about putting it together.

"I'm all for all the north-east clubs being in the same league, Middlesbrough included. Those are the games that you look for at the start of the season. That adds to our season, having the two Sunderland games there. The fans look forward to those games and I'm a big fan of all the north-east teams doing well.

"Ideally Newcastle are at the top of that pile, which we have been in recent years. It will mean Sunderland and Norwich going down but my allegiance isn't to any of those teams, it's to Newcastle first and foremost.

"It would be unfortunate for them but all that matters in terms of being a fan is that Newcastle stay in the league."

Ameobi is now at League One Fleetwood Town and was speaking at the opening of the club's brand new £8m state-of-the-art training complex.

The striker hopes to shake off a hamstring injury so that he can feature in a Lancashire derby against Blackpool this weekend.

"I know one or two things about local derbies being from Newcastle," he added. "I understand the pressures and the bragging rights."