THEY may have missed out on signing a striker on transfer deadline day but in Leon Best, Newcastle have a player determined to prove himself as a top goalscorer in the Premier League.

Much was made of Newcastle's failure to land a forward after eight months had passed since Andy Carroll's departure to Liverpool.

But one person who wasn't particularly concerned by the lack of activity was Best. Instead of being glued to the Sky Sports News like most of Tyneside, the 24-year-old spent the day playing the video game Call of Duty, unperturbed by the possible arrival of another striker.

With the transfer window now closed until January, a window of opportunity has opened for one of the club's strikers to step forward and lead Alan Pardew's side, and Best believes he can be that person.

Since he arrived at St James' Park, injuries have meant the Nottingham-born forward's career on Tyneside has been stop start, but six goals in his last nine starts suggest Newcastle have a capable goalscorer on their hands.

The jury is still out on his Premier League credentials - Best too admits he is still unproven - but the Republic of Ireland international is determined to prove he is worthy of a top flight career.

He said: "I believe this league is better for me. I love every minute of playing in it and when you score it's the best feeling.

"I just tend to look at my goals per game ratio. That's been the case my whole career. Everyone told me, keep scoring, right back to when I was a young kid. As a striker it's about scoring goals, I believe I'm a Premier League player.

"During the summer we knew there were going to be new strikers coming in. But given the chances I've had I was confident.

"My job is to score goals and I'd scored six in nine (starts) before this season so I came back with confidence. The main thing for me was not to get injured because that's been my downfall.

"Thankfully I've stayed fit and it's eight in 11 now. I'm still unproven, I've started only 11 games in the Premier League, and I've got to keep fit and play as many games and score as many goals.

"I know my job, if a new striker comes in I believe in healthy competition. All the top teams have many strikers and if you're not doing your job another one comes in and takes you place.

"When it (transfer window) was all done and dusted we've got the same number we had last season, so obviously I've got a much better chance now, especially with the manager looking to play two strikers. If I'm scoring you can't take somebody out of the team. It's down to me now.

"When I look at the best players in the world, I love the Brazilian Ronaldo, look at his stats online and every team he has been with, his goal per game ratio is unbelievable.

"I'd love to score in every game I play in, but as long as I keep creating chances and we create as a team I believe whoever plays will score."

The most goals Best has scored in a season to date came in the 2006/7 campaign when he netted 17 times during spells at Bournmouth, Yeovil and Southampton.

Others might have doubts over his ability to become a prolific striker, but the forward believes he is capable of scoring 15 to 20 goals a season.

He said: When I first came here I came from the Championship, I wasn't a massive signing and I wasn't proven.

"The fans took to me and they maybe weren't expecting 15-20 goals a season. I've been in that position most of my career, the only way I can prove myself is scoring goals. I can handle that.

"Those low expectations have definitely helped. I don't think anyone thought I'd ever score eight in 11.

"With no new striker brought in, now I've been scoring, people might be looking at me thinking "I should be doing that".

"Whatever club I've been at, whether Southampton or Coventry, I never felt like I was the man. Like the manager has said, I've always been in and out of the team, either through form, injuries or not scoring. This is the first time in my life I'm scoring and feeling good and I'm in the Premier League."