Hard work starts now, warns Kinnear

Interim manager Joe Kinnear has challenged rejuvenated striker Shola Ameobi to keep up his good form to stay in the Newcastle side.

Ameobi grabbed his first goal for two years at home to Manchester City last Monday - then followed it up with an equaliser in the derby defeat to Sunderland on Saturday.

Kinnear is delighted the hard work is paying off for Ameobi but has warned the Nigeria-born frontman he must keep up his work-rate.

"He's done fantastically well during the last two games," said Kinnear.

"When I came here we weren't getting what we should out of certain players and one of them was Shola Ameobi.

"I've worked with him and told him to get back to doing what you do best, and that is being a centre-forward."

He added: "He hadn't scored in two years and now he's scored two in two game.

"If you can get Shola on his game then we've got a player on our hands.

"Now he has to continue with his good form because he's an important player for us at the moment."