Shola’s recent performances have been vastly improved and that fact has not been lost on Sven who has either watched or sent Tord Grip to watch Newcastle on a number of occasions since Christmas.
"Ameobi is much better than when I first saw him," the Swede said. "He is getting stronger and his first touch has improved a lot."
Shola has some work to do to earn a call up though as Eriksson also admits to being impressed by Emile Heskey, Francis Jeffers, Wayne Rooney, Alan Smith, Robbie Fowler, Darius Vassell, Jermain Defoe and James Beattie.