... one former number nine, Les Ferdinand, feels that Ameobi is up to the job.
Ferdinand: "For me there is already a player at Newcastle who has what it takes to get the goals this season. That player is Shola and we have already seen glimpses of what he can do when he has played alongside Alan Shearer.
"But because he has been a young player coming through and he has actually been playing in Alan's shadow, I think he will only get better.
"Sometimes it is hard for a striker, particularly the younger ones, to shine like that. Now that Alan has retired, that is an obstacle taken away for Shola. I certainly think he has the capabilities to do well."