IN THE wake of Craig Bellamy's acrimonious departure from Newcastle United, Shola Ameobi has moved to reassure supporters that the trio remaining can form one of the most formidable firing line's in the Premiership.

Ameobi has been the main beneficiary of the fiery Welshman's loan move to Celtic, as the gangly striker has been able to continue in the starting line-up despite Alan Shearer's return to fitness.

The pair are likely to be paired together this afternoon, when Charlton visit Tyneside, and the younger of the duo believes that Newcastle still have enough quality in the final third to make a concerted push for the top six.

Dutchman Patrick Kluivert, who made his comeback last Saturday, is also nearing full match fitness after a six week lay off and the Magpies have their work cut out in trying to forget about the talents of Bellamy.

"I'm sure if we can get all three of us performing together then I'm sure all three of us will become an awesome attacking force together," said Ameobi.

"The likes of Patrick, a player of his calibre, are going to score goals, Alan is back and banging them in straight away and that all bodes well for us.

"Hopefully the three of us can play in the team, which is possible if the manager chooses to play the three up front which he has done, and help this club back up the table. I have got two world class players alongside me and that is only going to be good for me and the club."

Ameobi has started the last eight games now and that represents one of his longest spells in the side since breaking onto the scene in September 2000.

And the 23-year-old insists he is determined to repay the man he owes for his larger role in the Newcastle squad - manager Graeme Souness.

Under ex-boss Sir Bobby Robson, Ameobi was only used as a reservist for whenever Bellamy or Shearer missed out through injury.

But now the former England Under-21 international is relishing the prospect of trying to hold a place in the first team down.

"The manager has been fantastic with me because he has told me that as long as I am performing he will keep me in his side. That's what you want to hear as a player," said Ameobi, who was replaced with Kluivert just after the hour in the midweek draw at Manchester City.

"In the past that has not been the case. I have been playing well and then I have been dropped for the next game. That's not right for a player.

"I haven't really been given a good run in the team until now and it's fantastic to be enjoying that. All players want that.

"It's been fantastic for me to be in the team. But there are still fantastic players here, so I have to do all I can to stay in the team.

"You need the extended run in the team to show what you can do. Every game I am playing now I am getting the fitness, the sharpness and most of all confidence. I would like to think I am playing quite well and hopefully the manager will stick with me."

Ameobi has now scored five goals this season. Three of those have arrived since the turn of the year.

Bellamy's switch to Celtic means that those players left have to find the net on a regular basis in a bid to help Newcastle climb up the Premiership table - where they still occupy a bottom half position.

But Ameobi is not feeling the strain.

He said: "I don't feel anymore pressure than I used to feel. There is pressure on me to do well every time I go out on to the pitch but that's no different to any player at this club.

"But if I want to do well in this game then I have to cope with pressure and I would like to think that I have been.

"What's driving me on is the need to improve and succeed.

"If I can improve then the team improves and I'm loving being in the team more and I would like to think I am improving with every game."

Souness is delighted with the way Ameobi is progressing and shares Sven-Goran Eriksson's belief that the forward can become a hit on the international stage as well.

"Goals and games will give Shola confidence. He's a polite very nice young man with the confidence of scoring goals his character on the pitch will become meaner and a bit more aggressive as time goes on," said Souness.

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