Sammy Ameobi aims to push on at Newcastle Utd

Samuel Ameobi in action for Newcastle United against Oldham Athletic. Picture by FRANK REID

Ameobi came off the bench a minute from time against Southampton last weekend to make his first appearance of the season.

The club’s 4-0 defeat at the St Mary’s Stadium heaped more pressure on Alan Pardew, whose win-less side are propping up the Premier League table ahead of tomorrow’s home game against Hull City.

Pardew - whose team has failed to score in three of its four opening league games - is short of attacking options with Siem de Jong and Rolando Aarons sidelined by injury.

And forward Ameobi - who played 70 minutes for the Under-21s on Monday night - is confident he can help his struggling team in the final third of the pitch - if selected.

“I had a slow start in pre-season - I had a few injuries,” Ameobi said.

“I had to work at it. I’ve had a few games with the reserves to get my match fitness up.

“I’m just waiting for my opportunity now. I just need to keep fit and keep ticking over. I’m ready to kick on.

“It’s a big game - we seriously need three points. Hopefully, we can get a good win.”

Ameobi - who was a candidate for a loan spell before the club’s failure to sign another striker in the summer transfer window was compounded by injuries to de Jong and Aarons - is in the final year of his contract.

And the 22-year-old knows time is running out for him to establish himself at St James’s Park and earn a new deal.

“I’m in the last year of my contract, so whether it’s here or somewhere else, I just want to play football,” said Ameobi.

“Hopefully, I’ll get to do that for Newcastle this season.”

Peter Beardsley’s Under-21 side beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 at St James’s Park on Monday night thanks to goals from Gael Bigirimana and Tom Heardman.

For his part, Ameobi was just happy to be back on the pitch at St James’s Park after a difficult few months.

“I was very happy to get out there - I want to play football, wherever it may be,” he said.

“I got 70 minutes, and hopefully I can kick on and keep pushing.

“We started well. The first half was a lot better than the second half.

“We really wanted to close the game out, but we let them get a goal back. We got there in the end.”