Ameobi pride at Newcastle honour

Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi could not disguise his pride after being handed the captain's armband in Madeira.

The Nigeria-born but Tyneside raised 30-year-old led the Magpies out against Maritimo at the Estadio dos Barreiros on Thursday night as manager Alan Pardew rested his big guns, but still came away with a point. Pardew later praised Ameobi, who was joined on the pitch by 20-year-old brother Sammy after the break, for both his leadership qualities and contribution on the pitch. The former England Under-21 international, who broke into the Newcastle first-team as a teenager under Sir Bobby Robson, was thrilled to be handed the role of skipper. Ameobi said: "I would never have dreamt of captaining Newcastle United all those years ago. Every time I play for the team, it's a huge honour anyway, but to lead the team out meant the world to me. "Being a home-grown lad, it's something that you dream about and I'm delighted to have the chance to help these young lads develop and try to push on. In European games, the young lads will get their chance and it is great to be able to help them."