Toon Striker: "I Can Be A Big Asset To Newcastle"

Last updated : 22 March 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor
Ameobi: "It is disappointing not being out there with the lads, helping them.
The injury could not have come at a worse time for me. I felt I was playing a lot better, but this is a learning curve for me as well.

"You are a lucky player if you go through your career without a long lay-off. I think I will come back a better player from this. It is frustrating watching from the sidelines and I have seen how frustrated the fans must feel. I definitely feel it has helped me.

"But, on the other hand, hopefully this is me fit now, and that has not been the case for a few years. Hopefully, when I come back, I can look forward to playing pain-free and I can be a big asset to the club.

"What I have to do now is get fit and get all the muscles firing and strong. That is the stage I am at now and hopefully, in not too long a time, I will be back training. I have been working with the ball for the past couple of weeks, which is a nice change for me.

"When you are so close, you are just itching to get back. But you do not want to rush things, as that could set you back. You have just got to make sure everything is right before you step up.

"There's not really a time put on it. It depends who quickly I get past each step. But, hopefully, I will get a couple of games in this season. That is the target I have set myself, but I do not want to set a date in case something goes wrong.

"You have to set yourself targets. When they told me I needed the operation, the first thing I said was 'can I play again this season?'. You have to give yourself that incentive to keep working hard. It is tough at times being on the sidelines, and I think it helps you to keep your focus.

"You need to be focused if you are going to work hard, and I have been delighted with how my rehab has gone."