Shola Up For The Fight

Shola was suspended for the opening two fixtures of the new season against Arsenal and West Ham, but will return to action at Bolton tonight as Newcastle attempt to gain their first win of the season.

"I have yet to prove it, but I am capable of scoring 20 goals in a season," said Shola on Tuesday. "Every season is a big one, but this is especially important with it being Alan's final season.

"I want to establish myself in the team and I know the only way to do that is to score goals. I still have to prove myself in terms of being a player who can score 15 or 20 goals, and that is my aim. I know that I can do it, I'm confident I will do it and, if I don't, I will consider it a bad season.

"This is Newcastle United and we are going to attract big names. It is up to me now, I have got to show the manager that I do a job for him in the Premier League. I have to do the business. My main target this season is the World Cup"

Souness, however, has made it plain as day he is looking for Shola's replacement, but was cagey not to upset the player. "Without going overboard, I think Shola is a fantastic footballer," said the Magpies manager. "But for a striker, the one thing which is black and white is the number of goals you score in the amount of games you play and right now that's not good enough.

"It's the obvious criticism of him and it's something he has to add to his game. We are on at him about it all the time. This is a huge season for Shola."