Shola To Split The Owen-Martins Partnership?

Last updated : 15 April 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

Ex-Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson once described Ameobi as "too gangly to be a great", but current Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder says the best of Shola Ameobi is yet to come.

The 25-year-old striker has been sidelined since November with a hip injury.

He underwent surgery in America to repair the damage and has spent the intervening months on the long haul back to fitness.

With everyone looking forward to Michael Owen and Oba Martins forming the partnership we hope will lead us to glory, Roeder says we must not forget Ameobi.

Roeder: "Shola had a career-threatening injury and he is looking terrific in training.

"He often says to me, 'Glenn, I had forgotten what it was like to be pain-free, it is a great feeling to be able to move and stride without any thought in my mind that it is going to hurt me'.

"I do not know how many games Shola is going to play this year but I know next year you will see a Shola Ameobi no-one has ever seen before.

"I think Shola will have the best season of his career."