Few expected Ameobi to ever play for the Magpies again.
Sammy Ameobi will return to Newcastle United in January, the Shields Gazette reports, and he could well find himself thrust back into the first team in the coming weeks.
The younger of the two Ameobi brothers to ply their trade at St James’ Park in recent seasons, rangy winger Sammy never captured the fans’ hearts quite like ‘Shola the Mackem Slayer’ and his long association with the Tyneside club appeared to be coming to an end in the New Year.
The 24-year-old had impressed during a short-term loan spell with Bolton Wanderers in League One, scoring four goals including a stunning long-distance rocket against Gillingham.
Consequently, Trotters boss Phil Parkinson expressed a desire to keep him at the Macron permanently, although Newcastle look to have dashed his hopes.
The Shields Gazette reports that Ameobi, who lays claim to the fastest ever goal scored after half time in the Premier League (seven seconds against Tottenham), has been recalled by Benitez to provide back-up in January.
Ghanaian Christian Atsu is set to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations later in the month while Yoan Gouffran’s substandard and heavily-criticised performance in the 1-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers could mean Ameobi is handed a lifeline at St James’ Park.
The Frenchman is also out of contract at the end of the season and the Chronicle reported last month that a new winger was high on Benitez’s list of priorities for the mid-season window.
However, with deals for Brentford’s Alan Judge and Hull City’s Robert Snodgrass looking unlikely, plus Republic of Ireland wide man Daryl Horgan opting to join Preston, Newcastle appear increasingly short of options.
Therefore, the man whose career on Tyneside looked over could well find himself wearing the black and whites stripes once again.
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