Ameobi: World Cup Top of my Agenda

As the English Premier League kicks off this weekend, Newcastle forward Shola Ameobi is hoping for more playing time with the Magpies in order to stand a chance of featuring for the Super Eagles at next year’s World Cup in Brazil, reports Completesportsnigeria.com.

The former England U-21 player, who was in the Super Eagles line-up in last night’s 2-0 victory against South Africa in the Nelson Mandela Challenge, made only four league starts last season.

"It's top of the agenda," Ameobi told BBC Newcastle of his ambition to become a mainstay in the Nigeria team.

"A lot of years I couldn't play (for Nigeria) but FIFA changed the rules and I now have an opportunity to do what every footballer wants to do which is to play in a World Cup.

"I have been called up for friendlies and hopefully, I can show the manager what I can do, but you need to play games to get into the squads."

And following the arrival of QPR’s Loic Remy on a season-long loan deal, the 31-year-old hinted that he could look elsewhere for first team football if necessary.

"There's been a lot of speculation regards people coming in and out, but I'm an old head now and I just have to focus on myself and making sure I am right, whether it's playing for Newcastle or someone else.

"Of course, I am happy here, I wouldn't be here if I wasn't, but if a lot of strikers do come in then I am pushed down the pecking order, I need to make sure I get games. It's important I look at that and see where we are," Shola said.