Shola Ameobi - The Magpies new Hero

Shola Ameobi - The Magpies new Hero

Shola Ameobi is relishing his new-found status of Newcastle hero after living in the shadows of big-name team-mates for years.

The 27-year-old, who was thrust into the senior squad as a teenager by then boss Sir Bobby Robson, has waited patiently in line behind the likes of Alan Shearer, Craig Bellamy, Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins and Mark Viduka for a chance to prove his worth on a consistent basis.

However, the ongoing off-field problems have seen him rise to the fore once again and a man who has not always been appreciated by the fans is suddenly a crowd favourite.

Ameobi's hat-trick against Reading on Saturday earned him loud cheers when he was introduced to a crowd of 43,904 ahead of the game against Sheffield Wednesday at St James' Park.

But the applause was even louder when he left the pitch at full-time having scored the only goal to fire his home-town club into third place in the Championship.

With the Magpies travelling to London to face Crystal Palace on Saturday, Ameobi said: "It's something that hasn't happened often over the years but I'm delighted.

"I have finally got a chance to get a run in the team and to prove I can score goals. The last time was under Glenn Roeder, which was a very fruitful time for me because I was playing games.

"Hopefully I can stay fit and continue in this good vein of form."