Roeder: He is desperate

Newcastle United manager Glenn Roeder is happy with the hunger being shown by striker Shola Ameobi as he battles to be fit to start against Fulham at the weekend.

Roeder said: "If Shola Ameobi manages to climb off the treatment table on Saturday, he will be making a heck of a statement as to how much he wants to play for Newcastle United,"

"He is desperate to get back into the team and form a partnership with Oba Martins, and this is something he is looking forward to.

"Whether that happens on Saturday, I don't know, but what I do know is that at the start of the week, he had absolutely no chance."

In regards to the chances of loan star Giuseppe Rossi getting a run Roeder added: "Seppe has been away with the Italian Under-21 squad this week and been involved in the two games with Iceland and Austria,"

"He has since been back to Manchester to pick up his gear, but he is here now and he will train with us today and tomorrow.

"We will get to know him and he will get to know us and then we will decide about Saturday.

"Although he never said anything directly to me, I know that Sir Alex Ferguson trusts me to look after the boy - and don't forget, he is still only 19."