A PATCHED-UP Shola Ameobi last night pledged to play through the pain barrier in an attempt to salvage Newcastle's season

A month ago, Ameobi's campaign looked to have come to an end when he failed to appear for the second half of his side's 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough.

Subsequent scans highlighted a hip problem that was adversely affecting his movement.

With surgery initially appearing to be the only solution, Graeme Souness was resigned to adding the striker's name to a lengthy injury list that already included the likes of Michael Owen, Kieron Dyer and Stephen Carr.

A further examination altered the diagnosis, enabling Ameobi to embark on a course of painkilling injections that have eased his mobility.

The pain remains a hindrance but, with the Magpies struggling in the bottom half of the Premiership, the 24-year-old is willing to sacrifice his personal comfort for the good of the team.

He returned to action in Saturday's 2-0 win at Cheltenham and, with Spaniard Albert Luque continuing to struggle, his presence could prove crucial as Newcastle look to the FA Cup to provide atonement for their dreadful league form.

"People have been surprised to see me back because it's only a couple of weeks ago that we were talking about whether I would play again this season," said Ameobi, who has spent most of this season playing in an unorthodox left-midfield role. "But here I am.

"It has surprised me a little bit. We didn't know what was going to happen until I saw the surgeon.

"He seems to think that, with injections, we can settle it down. That should be better than them opening me up again and we just have to hope that it works.

"I want to do everything I can to avoid the operation and, if I can heal this way, it's what I want to do. This gives me the chance to keep playing and I don't want to miss any more games this season.

"I have missed too many already and we have had too many players missing through injuries. This is an important time for the club and I want to be part of it."

After battling his way through the full 90 minutes at Whaddon Road, Ameobi is expected to keep his place for tomorrow night's Premiership clash at Manchester City.

The Nigeria-born striker is hoping to put off surgery until the end of the season, and is desperate to repay Souness' faith in his ability.

"I'm not 100 per cent, but things are looking quite good for me if I can get through games," said Ameobi. "It's something that I'm just going to have to do.

"It has been a very frustrating month for me, especially because of the manner of our results. You want to do your very best to help the team, but you can't and that's tough.

"I hope this is the end of it for me because I want to be involved. I want to help the club and I want to help the manager."

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