Ameobi closing in on Newcastle return

Roeder said: “When Shola went off to Colorado six or seven months ago to have his hip operation, we were told we would be lucky if he was fit to take part in pre-season training in early July.

“The thought of Shola playing again this year is amazing and he must be very pleased with himself because he certainly did not think he would be playing again this year, and now he knows he probably will.”