We bring you the latest news from Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough.
Shola Ameobi makes Turkish debut
Shola Ameobi has made his Gaziantep debut in a 1-1 draw with Kayserispor.
Ameobi completed a move to Turkey this summer, taking a big drop in standard of football, but he couldn’t find the back of the net in his first appearance.
Instead, his only notable impact on the game was to get booked for a robust challenge on a defender.
Pardew demands improvement
Alan Pardew has urged his Newcastle United side to improve their performance levels when they take on Hull City this weekend.
The Magpies are still searching for their first win of the season and Pardew says that they must get off the mark on Saturday.
“It’s a time to stand up and deliver, really,” Pardew said to the Sunderland Echo. “Saturday is an important game for us, because now we’ve had a difficult start.
“If we had got something (last Saturday) – even a point – it would have been an OK start, because we’ve had some tough games, I think, to start with.
“Now we’ve got a game at home where the pressure’s really going to be on us, and we’re going to have to deliver.”
Patrick Van Aanholt to continue giving his all
Patrick Van Aanholt says that he will not relent in his performances, despite seemingly establishing himself as Sunderland’s first choice left-back.
The youngster has impressed since joining on loan from Chelsea, but he insists that he will continue to give 100% now he is a regular member of the starting line-up.
“In the team, no-one is secure,” the Dutchman said to the Shields Gazette.
“The manager puts the team up and whoever is in it, plays.
“In training I work hard every day to improve myself and get better and make it difficult for the manager.
No fee agreed for Roberge
There has been no fee agreed between Sunderland and Reims for Valentin Roberge.
The defender joined the Black Cats on loan over the summer and has caught they eye so much, that Sunderland are keen to make this deal a permanent one.
However, the Sunderland Echo report that no price has been agreed between the two sides yet for the defender.
Middlesbrough win a marker
Adam Clayton says that Middlesbrough’s win over Cardiff City in midweek made a statement to the rest of the league.
‘Boro’s performances in the Championship have been amongst the most impressive in the division, even if they don’t have as many points as their displays have merited, but Clayton believes that their win over Cardiff should show they are promotion contenders.
“I suppose it was important to put down that marker,” said midfielder Clayton to the Gazette.
“At this stage people always say ‘you’ve haven’t played anyone yet’ and you don’t really know how good you are until you test yourself properly.
“So it is a good sign that we’ve gone away to a very difficult place and got a win against a top team in division.
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