STAND-IN skipper Warren Barton last night saluted the "gladiator'' Bobby Robson hopes will lead Newcastle United's frontline battle in a time of crisis.

African-born striker Shola Ameobi was an instant hit with the Toon Army when he made his first senior start in the superb Boxing Day victory over Leeds at St James' Park.

The 19-year-old was called up after skipper Alan Shearer was ruled out for a minimum of three months.

Shearer yesterday underwent surgery in a bid to cure tendinitis in a knee and Newcastle fear he could be out for the rest of the season.

With £7m summer signing Carl Cort still five weeks away from a return after undergoing a hamstring operation, and Daniel Cordone and Lomana Lualua struggling for form, manager Robson has been forced to gamble on the lanky Ameobi alongside makeshift striker Kieron Dyer.

Walker Central product Ameobi proved more than a handful for Rio Ferdinand, Leeds' world record £18m defensive capture, and Robson declared: "Shola played like a gladiator.

"Cordone and Lualua have their qualities, but we needed a big fella, I took a gamble and it paid off.

"How can you expect a teenager to play like that in every game? He'll have to come back to earth and he might not play against Manchester United here on Saturday.

"Having said that, he cost us nothing and Mark Viduka cost Leeds £7m. But on the day, Shola was his equal.''

Right-back Barton spoke for his teammates when he said: "Shola was superb, but it doesn't surprise me how well he played because he's been turning in that kind of performance in training and for the reserves for quite a while.

"The manager showed he had a lot of faith in him - he knows he has something special. It also shows the potential we have at this club.

"We all know it's a big blow losing Alan for three months, but we have to make things work without him and as a squad we believe in ourselves.''

Ameobi said: "It was a fantastic Christmas present for me. There's nothing better than walking out in front of a full-house crowd.

"I didn't feel any nerves and I just wanted to get out there.

"The older players were excellent. They gave me the ball straight away to help me settle down.''

Ameobi looks set for an extended run in the team, with chairman Freddy Shepherd reluctant to release funds until the future of the transfer system is finally resolved.

Robson said: "I don't expect Carl Cort to play for about five weeks. It would cost us big dough to buy a striker and it's not easy to get a striker of Premiership quality on loan.''

Barton, meanwhile, hailed the David Beckham-like free-kick by Nolberto Solano which brought Newcastle level in their 2-1 win against Leeds.

Peruvian winger Solano curled in a 30-yard screamer off the underside of the bar and Barton said: "I don't think Nobby will get the credit he deserves for that free-kick.

"If David Beckham had done that, everybody would have been talking about it.

"It was no fluke. Nobby practises them in training all the time.''

Beckham and Co arrive on Saturday looking to avenge their 3-0 defeat on Tyneside last season.

"The Man. United game will be very difficult,'' said Barton. "But the Leeds game has given us a lot of confidence. We've shown we can compete with the best.

"Man. United are in a league of their own, but with our fans behind us we know anything is possible.''