Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan has hinted that Shola Ameobi could be given the opportunity to stay at St James' Park and fight for his place this season. Town are keen to sign Ameobi on loan after a permanent move fell through due to a hamstring problem.

Keegan, revealing the fee previously agreed with Town to be £2.4 million, says the former England U21 international is firmly in his plans: "Shola is back with us and he will be in full training on Monday. He's fit and I am quite happy to have him back.

"For £2.4 million where am I going to get a player like Shola? He knows the Premier League and the club and he understands the area. I don't look at it as a minus at all.

"Who knows? He might be our top scorer this season – I wouldn't put it past him.

"We all know players who were going to leave, but stay and have a great season and then sign a new contract.”

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