Sho time at the Riverside
Michael Owen will not be there but Newcastle United will at least welcome Shola Ameobi back into the fray for tonight's clash against Middlesbrough at the Riverside.
The lanky striker has not been involved in a black and white shirt since the clash with Manchester City in the dire 0-0 draw at Eastlands back in November and has been one of the main figures in the treatment room all season.
Now after recovering from hip problems he will continue his comeback against Boro.
Shola of course has fond memories of playing at Boro after bagging goals there at first team level earlier in his career,
And if he comes through tonight's clash unscathed he gets a chance perhaps against Chelsea, the team he made is debut against in 2000 and scored perhaps his best Toon goal against in 2004.
He'll be in good company at Boro too.
For not only will coach Lee Clark field Ameobi, the ex-Toon star also names Charles N'Zogbia, Andy Carroll, Titus Bramble and Peter Ramage in his ranks tonight.
Toon fans have always had different views on Ameobi but at least he will be able to resume his United career with his injuries hopefully behind him in a season he was desperate to make an impact in following the retirement of Alan Shearer last term.
And what better place to start the comeback trail in style than at the Riverside?
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Lee Ryder - Proudly born and bred on Tyneside, the Chronicle's chief sports writer has followed the fortunes of the club over the last three decades as a Toon fan and football writer.
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hope shola plays on sunday and we see the difference he makes same as big al,hes got a huge physical presence and him and martins or owen will give us a good base for next year...so long as we shore up the back 4 and bring in a few quality players like...wes brown and curtis davies
Of course Michael, play Shola on Sunday he'll be so fit and match sharp by then -oh dear!
AS Lee says Shola is no hero with the toon army. Fit or not doesn't offer the physical presence or leadership we so desperately need up front but hey ho, he's got more to offer than many we have and it will be good to see the lad fit and well again.
Good luck Shola - but keep it simple bonny lad!
And Michael - Curtis Davies is no better than Titus, in fact he isn't as good!