Shola Ameobi insists he and Andy Carroll can form the perfect strike partnership for Newcastle this season.
Magpies boss Chris Hughton reverted to a two-man attack on Saturday for the visit of Wigan, but chose to overlook Ameobi in favour of Peter Lovenkrands.
However, the 29-year-old came off the bench and produced a solid header to pave the way for a last-gasp equaliser from Fabricio Coloccini, which sealed the 2-2 draw.
Ameobi, who has scored four goals this season, is hoping his cameo was enough to persuade Hughton to start him alongside Carroll at West Ham on Saturday.
Qualities
“I know Andy and I can play together, I don’t just think it,” Ameobi told the Northern Echo.
“Andy feels the same way. We are two tall guys but we have different qualities.”
He added: “It’s important you have a partnership that the manager believes in. The manager was very close to starting with Andy and I.
“In the end he has made his decision to go with Pete, but I know it was in the back of his mind.”
Ameobi, who has started just three times this season, knows he will have to keep impressing for the Magpies if he wants to earn a regular first-team spot.
“The manager knew I was disappointed to be left out,” he added. “I thought I was unlucky not to be starting.”
“I need to be playing week in and week out. I just have to keep showing I’m worthy of a starting place.”
Wary
Ameobi was wary of threat posed by former Toon winger Charles N’Zogbia at the weekend, aware that the abuse the Latics man received from the St James’ Park faithful would only spur him on.
“I grabbed him and said ‘what do you think you are doing to us?’ It was all in good jest,” said Ameobi, who caught up with his former team-mate at half-time.
“My heart sank when I heard the boos because he thrives on that kind of thing.
“He is a good lad, when he left he was young and influenced by one or two things. It would have been great had he stayed a bit longer, but that was not the case. Players have different priorities and he has come back and hurt us. Thankfully, not too much.”
