SHOLA AMEOBI admirably shouldered the weight of being Alan Shearer's stand-in at the Nou Camp - then revealed his aim to become the next legendary No 9 at Newcastle United.

England Under-21 international Ameobi was a revelation for the Magpies as he scored their goal in Wednesday's 3-1 Champions League Group A defeat here in Barcelona.

With skipper Shearer and Craig Bellamy both suspended, United boss Sir Bobby Robson paired Ameobi with Lomana LuaLua in attack.

While LuaLua looked somewhat overawed by the occasion, fellow 21-year-old Ameobi was outstanding and could count himself unlucky not to have come away with a hat-trick.

It was only Nigeria-born Ameobi's second Champions League start and sixth in all competitions this season.

But the one-time Walker Central striker, brought up in Newcastle's east end, now has four goals in the current campaign and with his confidence soaring, he is already setting his sights on taking over Shearer's Magpie mantle when the former England captain eventually hangs up his boots.

Shearer rang Ameobi with a good-luck message before the Barca game, and the youngster said: "Alan has many great years left yet and many successful seasons.

"But of course he won't be around for ever.

"My short-term dream was to score a goal at the Nou Camp, but my long-term target is to take over from Alan as Newcastle's centre forward.

"I think I have staked my claim and I'll keep doing that. It is a famous position for a famous club and I have got to live up to that legend if I want the job.''

Ameobi, however, now faces the likelihood of being dropped for tomorrow's game at Southampton to make way for the return of Shearer and Bellamy.

"It would be disappointing because the Barcelona game was my best performance yet for Newcastle,'' said Ameobi. "It was a fantastic night for me, but we were disappointed to lose.

"Obviously we were without Alan and Craig and everyone was talking about that. I was determined to make sure that their absence was not a major issue. That was my motivation.

"The boss had a word with me before the game and told me to take the responsibility of leading the line. I liked that, it was down to me and I did my best.

"He told me exactly what Alan Shearer means to this team with his spirit, leadership and ability, and he made sure I knew exactly what I had to live up to for the team.

"I knew it would be tough out there without Alan alongside me, because we've played together many times. I know that, at the moment, I can't just become Alan Shearer, so I played my own game and tried to take on his personal qualities.

"He rang me before the game and just told me to enjoy myself. That really helped and proved what a great captain he is for this club. He is massive for us on the pitch and that is what the gaffer wanted me to be.

"In training, and in games, Alan tells me what I am doing right and wrong and there is no-one better to learn from. He has a fantastic work ethic.''

Newcastle's vastly-experienced midfielder Gary Speed, acting skipper at the Nou Camp in Shearer's absence, said: "Shola was outstanding and has everything he needs to be a top-class player at the highest level.

"He proved that against Barcelona. Alan and Craig give a lot to this team, but Shola has proved he can too and he deserves all the credit he gets."

It was also a special night in the Catalan capital for another Newcastle rookie - 18-year-old striker Michael Chopra.

The England Under-20 star came on as a late substitute for LuaLua to make only his second senior appearance. Chopra said: "Whatever happens in my career now, no-one can take this away from me.

"For a Geordie boy to play for Newcastle in the Champions League at 18 at a place like Barcelona, is nothing short of unbelievable.''

Newcastle right-back Andy Griffin rates Barca's Dutch international winger Marc Overmars as a better player than the likes of Ryan Giggs and David Ginola.

Griffin said: "I have played against Giggs, Ginola and Harry Kewell, but I would say Overmars is the best I have come across - certainly the quickest.''

Meanwhile, Newcastle are still nursing centre-back Titus Bramble back to fitness after a hamstring injury, and Robson hopes to have him fit for the festive period.

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