TheCable

Newcastle manager, Alan Pardew, may have led the team to a club-record six straight defeats in the league, but he could still see the leadership skills in striker Shola Ameobi and as backed him to become a manager.

The Super Eagles forward, a product of the club’s youth system, has made 310 league appearances for the Magpies since making his debut in 2000. The striker scored his first Barclays Premier League goal in 16 months against Swansea last weekend, but fired blanks in the 3-0 loss to Arsenal on Monday.

The 32-year-old should be in Stephen Keshi provisional list of players to the World Cup, which will be made public in May 6, and he is in Pardew’s potential list of players to be involved in the game beyond their playing days.

“He is a very important leader. He is a player who is going to have a huge future on the coaching and managerial front himself,” the 52-year-old manager was quoted as saying by ITV.

“He has seen it all and that gives him great experience for this particular club, and that’s why he is very, very important in my changing room.”

Newcastle hope to end their losing streak as they host bottom-of-the-log side, Cardiff City at the St. James’ Park on Saturday.