Toon Striker To Do A Beckham?

Carver, who acted as caretaker manager at Newcastle for one game (the 3-0 win over Blackburn), is currently boss at Toronto FC.

According to reports today, he hopes to persuade Ameobi, 26, to play his football across the Atlantic.

Carver: "I need some firepower up front and I am looking for new players, especially a striker.

"I have got my side organised now and have made Toronto difficult to beat, but I need to sign players in that area.

"Shola is a kid I brought through the system at Newcastle United, and a kid I know an awful lot about.

"If I can get Shola into this football club he would be a huge, huge asset for us."

Ameobi ended the campaign on loan at Stoke.

However, he appears to have rejected the chance to join the Potters ... but they hit back saying they never wanted him on a permanent basis.

Ameobi's old team-mate Laurent Robert already plays for Toronto.