Shola Ameobi believes he still has a lot to give to Newcastle after more than 10 years with the club.
Striker has got a few miles left in the tank for Magpies
Hot-shot Shola Ameobi believes he still has a lot to give to the Newcastle cause after more than 10 years with the club.
The Nigeria-born, Tyneside-raised frontman made his debut for the Magpies as a substitute in a 0-0 Premier League draw with Chelsea on 9th September 2000.
More than a decade on - and several injuries later - the striker showed he is still a force to be reckoned with when notching a brace in the 5-1 victory over arch-rivals Sunderland last Sunday.
He is targeting more of the same for the rest of the season as the Magpies search for the points to stay in the top flight.
Ameobi, 29, said: "It's certainly been a ride. Ten years - it certainly doesn't feel like that.
"Time flies - you don't realise how quickly things go. I have to enjoy every minute of it because obviously, the lifespan of the average footballer isn't that long.
"Hopefully, I have still got a few miles left in the tank. I know I have still got a lot to give and God willing, hope I can stay injury-free and help Newcastle achieve what we are trying to achieve here."
New generation
As well as trying to score goals to keep the Magpies up, Ameobi is also enjoying helping a new generation of strikers - such as Andy Carroll and Nile Ranger - at the club.
He added: "I have never shied away from the responsibility. I know if I am being asked to lead the line, I am very comfortable doing that.
"I have always said if I am playing, I know I can score goals on a regular basis, which I have proved, I believe, in the past.
"I have every confidence in myself. It hasn't always been easy with injuries and different things like that.
"But I have enjoyed every minute of it and hopefully I can help the likes of Andy and Nile [Ranger] progress.
"They are doing fantastically well and if I can help them improve, then I am doing my job there as well."
Manager Chris Hughton believes the key with Ameobi is keeping him fit - and the striker will do the rest.
Allowing him
He said: "With Shola, it has always been about keeping him fit and allowing him to have the amount of games we need him to get.
"He started last season on fire and I am quite sure he would have been capable, if he hadn't missed that period through injury, of being right up there with the top goalscorers.
"That's what he has got in his locker. He's a gifted player.
"He is the elder statesman of the strikers and when you need a bit of composure, he is a valuable asset to us."
