DARREN AMBROSE has urged the Premiership's big spenders not to overlook the rising stars of the Nationwide League.

Blackburn Rovers' capture Jon Stead will be doing his best to dent Newcastle United's chances of a Champions League spot tonight when Sir Bobby Robson's men visit Ewood Park.

The £1m-plus signing from Third Division Huddersfield Town started his Premiership career in the perfect manner when he grabbed the winner for Blackburn at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Stead is expected to form a front-line partnership with Paul Gallagher against the Magpies tonight in only his second match in the top-flight.

The 20-year-old is the first player to swap the bottom league for the Premiership since Tommy Miller departed Hartlepool United for Ipswich in 2001 for £800,000.

And Ambrose - who left Ipswich, now in the First Division, for Newcastle in a cut-price £1m deal last season - is adamant there are plenty more players capable of making the step up.

"There is plenty of talent down there and Jon Stead obviously scored the only goal for Blackburn at the weekend, so that just shows what is available," said the 19-year-old.

"He scored a lot of goals in the Third Division and he has already started to prove what he can do in the Premier.

"There are also a lot of talented players that come from abroad, so I wouldn't say don't look abroad. Here at Newcastle we have a lot of talented players who have come from abroad and they are doing really well for us. But you can't overlook the players in the Nationwide."

After making his first Premiership start in Newcastle's draw with Birmingham City 11 days ago, Ambrose was back on the bench for Saturday's 3-1 victory over Leicester at St James' Park.

The former Tractor Boy was tipped by Robson to become Newcastle's new right-wing wonder following the departure of Nolberto Solano to Aston Villa.

But Ambrose is not too disappointed to be back on the bench, saying: "I am pleased to have got my chance at Birmingham and I am grateful to the gaffer.

"But there is a lot of competition in this squad and I am glad at the moment just to be in the 16.

"It was a very big compliment from the manager to say I could be Nobby's replacement because Nobby was a great player for this football club.

"But I'm not guaranteed my place just like nobody else is."

And Ambrose, happy on either flank, has echoed Robson's words that the wingers need to supply Alan Shearer with more balls into the box.

Shearer returns to Blackburn, where he won the Premiership title, tonight having scored just one in nine matches.

"I think both wingers need to get forward a bit more and whip in the crosses for Alan," said Ambrose.

"We need to score more goals from open play and if I do get my chance I will be trying to put more crosses in for Alan Shearer and any other centre-forward who is up there."