Shola itching to get the nod

Shola Ameobi has warned Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse he will not be satisfied with playing a supporting role to their double act.

The 31-year-old got the nod alongside Ba for last Sunday's 1-1 derby draw at Sunderland, and although he was sacrificed before half-time following Cheick Tiote's sending-off, he has no intention of surrendering his place as West Brom head for St James' Park on Sunday.

"I feel very, very good, my game is there and I'm just itching to play more football, and if I get the nod, I have to show what I can do because we have got two other great strikers at this club who have kept me out of the team," said Ameobi. "I have to make sure if I get my chance, that I take it."

The Senegal internationals played key roles in last season's superb surge up the Barclays Premier League table, Ba scoring 15 of his 16 goals during the first half of the season and Cisse contributing 13 following his arrival from Freiburg in January.

As a result, Ameobi found himself largely providing the back-up, but with manager Alan Pardew insisting there is nothing to choose between the trio, he is hoping for an extended run in the team.

He added: "I am a guy who feeds off the manager. If I know he's got confidence in me, that's when I produce my best game.

"It's important as a player that you know your manager has got faith in you, and even when I am not playing, he makes me feel a part of what he is doing here, and that's very important to me.

"It was a slow start at the start of the season, being injured, so I feel I am making up for lost time and raring to go."