Shola Ameobi is unlikely to be leaving Newcastle United this summer, according to Alan Pardew.
Long-serving Ameobi has been linked with a move away from St James’s Park as he enters the final year of his St James’s Park contract.
But with the club desperately short of strikers – and progress still awaited in the transfer market – Pardew is in no mood to let the 31-year-old leave the club.
Ameobi scored United’s equaliser in last night’s 1-1 draw against Pacos de Ferreira at the Estadio da Mata Real.
It followed his strike in Saturday’s 1-3 defeat to Rio Ave, and Pardew sees Ameobi as having a role to play over the coming campaign.
“Shola’s a player that’s under contract here,” Pardew said.
“He’s not made any noises to me that he wants to leave.
“Certainly, with my striker situation at the moment, I need as many as I can get.”
Pardew – who could lose striker Papiss Demba Cisse over the 28-year-old’s refusal to wear a Wonga-branded shirt – is “pushing” Director of Football, Joe Kinnear, to get a transfer finalised.
Newcastle, in talks with Olympique Lyonnais over a move for forward Bafetimbi Gomis, are the only Premier League club yet to sign a senior player.
Pardew added: “I’m pushing Joe to get a transfer in.
“I think we need a boost now. We’re in a situation where we want to progress now. The team are in a good place.”
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