Ameobi wants to help Kinnear rescue Newcastle

Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi is desperate for a chance to show Joe Kinnear he can be the crisis club's saviour by firing them to victory against Manchester City.

Kinnear, who takes charge of his first game at St James' Park on Monday, has been working with Ameobi in one-on-one sessions for the last week as he tries to beef up Newcastle's forward line.

Kinnear is only at United on an interim basis after Kevin Keegan's departure, but he believes he can turn Ameobi into the new John Fashanu, a powerful striker who starred for the Newcastle boss during their time together at Wimbledon in the 1990s.

That process cannot be completed quickly enough for the Magpies, who will be without captain Michael Owen for City's visit as the former Liverpool striker recovers from a groin injury.

Obafemi Martins has a chance of starting after returning to training from a knee problem, but Ameobi, who might have left Newcastle after being loaned to Stoke last season, is likely to lead the line on Monday.

“The game is about moving on and certainly, I thought that was the case for me, but it wasn't to be,” said Ameobi.

“I have just got to make the most of where I am, I have always said that, and hopefully I can help this team climb up the table.”

Ameobi has not scored a league goal for his home-town club – he arrived on Tyneside from Nigeria as a child – since his penalty in a 2-1 home defeat by Bolton on October 15, 2006, and his last from open play came against Everton three weeks earlier.

However, with Australian Mark Viduka sidelined indefinitely, his physical prowess could be an asset, and that has been the focus for Kinnear.

Ameobi said: “It's playing my position, it's getting me into the old habits again, the old routines I used to have and playing as a centre-forward, which is obviously where I want to play.

“It's getting me playing up top and staying there and being a target man for the team.

“I certainly enjoy playing that role and hopefully I will get a chance to play there a bit more.”