Praise from Eriksson rewards Ameobi's patience
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Your support makes all the difference.Shola Ameobi has conceded to being frustrated at his lack of first-team football at Newcastle – although he is grateful to have Sven Goran Eriksson among his admirers.
Ameobi finds himself in the unfortunate position of being behind Alan Shearer and Craig Bellamy in the Magpies' pecking order, resulting in the 21-year-old striker spending more time on the bench than on the pitch.
Since his rare starting role in the 3-1 Champions' League win over Bayer Leverkusen a month ago, Ameobi has seen just 24 minutes of Premiership action spread over the club's last four matches. But when the England coach mentions him as one of the most promising young strikers in the country, as Eriksson did last week, it makes his problems at Newcastle a little easier to cope with.
Ameobi, who will spearhead England's Under-21 attack in the European Championship matches in Portugal on Friday and against Turkey next Tuesday on his home ground of St James' Park, said: "To hear the national coach talking about me was a welcome surprise. What he said was very flattering. It excited me and gave me a confidence boost and to know he is watching me and my progress is fantastic.
"I want to play for the seniors one day, so it's nice to know he knows I'm around, but my main focus is getting into the Newcastle team. I want to play for Newcastle and I want to be in the starting line-up. I need games at the minute, but they're hard to come by. With Craig and Alan doing so well, you don't want to change a winning formula, and I understand that.
"But it is tough for me at the moment as I'm not getting too many run-outs. I just have to be patient and I'm hoping and praying I get a chance sooner rather than later.
"I realise I'm still young and I have time ahead of me, and I'm still growing as a person and as a player, but at the end of the day I do want to play football. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't frustrated by not playing, but with the team doing so well it's not as hard to bear.
"The players in there at the moment are doing fantastically well and I can't praise them enough. I do feel I am playing well personally. But I just need a run of games to give me that extra confidence and match fitness."
Ameobi could be forgiven for being jealous at seeing his Newcastle team-mate Jermaine Jenas, only 19, named in the senior squad for the matches against Liechtenstein and Turkey.
Instead, it gives Ameobi further hope for his future as he added: "Jermaine's taken that chance. He has deserved it because he has done fantastic for us this season, so it gives you confidence to know that if you are in a team like Newcastle and doing well, then you will get your chance.
"It also shows he [Eriksson] is not scared to use the younger players. If he thinks you are good enough then he will give you that chance."
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