Newcastle United: Sammy Ameobi to use Europe to impress

Sammy Ameobi is keen to use Newcastle United's Europa League campaign as a chance to impress manager Alan Pardew with a view to a first-team place.

The 20-year-old winger was named in the squad for Thursday's trip to Maritimo after completing the full 90 minutes of the reserves draw with Sunderland.

Ameobi told BBC Newcastle: "I'm going to Portugal with the intention to play.

"Hopefully Alan's seen what I can do and will hopefully give me an opportunity to play."

Ameobi continued: "We've got a few great players coming through and I'm really looking forward to the next few months."

Tuesday's 2-2 reserves draw with Sunderland on home soil was Ameobi's first full outing of the season on his return to fitness following a hamstring injury.

And with the Magpies squad tested by European and domestic commitments, Pardew has already reassured his squad they will be required to step up.

"It's a dream actually [returning to Newcastle action], I've been looking forward to this for a long time - getting back to playing especially at St James' Park - which is where I want to be really," Ameobi added.

"It's a real pleasure to be back and I'm looking forward to getting more games out here.

"Obviously because there's a big flux of games coming up, so they're going to need all the help they can get and I'm hopefully there to take my chance."

Reporting by BBC Newcastle's Steve Mundy.