Demba Ba returns to the starting line up this afternoon for Newcastle United against Aston Villa at St. James' Park. As expected Shola Ameobi makes way for the Senegal striker and his team-mate Papiss Cisse in on the bench. Ba will partner Leon Best up front, and this looks like a decent team for Newcastle today.

It probably hasn't escaped your attention that Northumbria bizzies have been investigating what have been described as "sickening" racist comments about Newcastle United forward, Shola Ameobi, on Facebook. This comes after recent similar comments about his younger brother and teammate Sammy Ameobi on Twitter.

It probably hasn't escaped your attention that Northumbria bizzies have been investigating what have been described as "sickening" racist comments about Newcastle United forward, Shola Ameobi, on Facebook. This comes after recent similar comments about his younger brother and teammate Sammy Ameobi on Twitter.

By Alan Duffy

Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 Newcastle United FA Cup 29th January 2012

Oh how Newcastle boss Alan Pardew must be counting down the hours 'til his double dose of Dembas, Ba and Papiss Cisse, return to the north-east of England.

Sammy Ameobi will be out for months with an injury he picked up yesterday just before the hour mark in Newcastle Reserves 3-1 win at home to Wigan Athletic. Sammy Ameobi in action for England U21 side in November The 19 year-old could be out for a number of months, and the England under-21 player was injured when he was in a 50-50 [.

19 year-old Frenchman Mehdi Abeid gets a start this afternoon and comes in as a direct replacement for Cheick Tiote. And Ben Arfa comes in as the withdrawn striker to play just behind Leon Best up front, with the two Ameobi bothers both on the bench this afternoon. And Gabriel Obertan makes a surprise return on the [.

By Alan Duffy

With so many gifted African players now plying their trade in the Premier League, the African Cup of Nations has become something of an issue for managers in the top division, particularly as it is held slap bang in the middle of the season.

2:45pm ET, live in the US on FSC.
Last four head-to-head:
3-0 Liverpool (h) 05.01.11
1-3 Newcastle (a) 12.11.10
3-0 Liverpool (h) 05.03.09
5-1 Liverpool (a) 12.28.08
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 0-0 Wigan (a); 2-0 Villa (a); 1-0 QPR (h)
Newcastle: 2-0 Bolton (a); 2-3 West Brom (h); 0-0 Swansea (h)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Suarez 5; Own Goal 3; Adam, Bellamy, Carroll, Maxi, Skrtel 2; Gerrard, Henderson, Johnson 1
Newcastle: Ba 14; Best 3; R Taylor 2; Sh Ameobi, Ben Arfa, Cabaye, Gosling, Jonas 1
Referee: Lee Probert
Terrified of jinxing it, but since I bash referees here all the time, unfairly or not, probably should mention that Probert is one of my favorites.

I read in the papers today that Newcastle must stop their slide down the table against Swansea on Saturday, because they have dropped down the table over the last four game, and are now in 7th place. Sammy Ameobi could he get a start on Saturday? If we were told we'd be reading a kind of commentary in December about the lads back in August we would not have believed it, and just to put it in all perspective, Newcastle [.

Shola Ameobi believes that the Newcastle players will take inspiration from the tribute to be paid to Gary Speed before Saturday's game against Swansea City. Gary Speed tribute before the game on Saturday They will also take inspiration from the memory of a former great player for Newcastle United, who was much loved in the game.

We've got a hearty helping of news you can use (plus a bonus blind item from the weekend) to get your Mondays off to an highly unproductive start.

Glad we could be of assistance.

Image Credit: Tazzinadelcapitano.it.

Saturday

- Harvey Nichols makes house calls we learned.

Shola Ameobi has been interviews on the Newcastle web-site and he offers no excuses for the defeat at Norwich on Saturday. Shola Ameobi - no excuses It seems that Shola is back in form and looked good alongside Demba Ba on Saturday, and of course the Senegal striker is red hot at the moment, and scored two wonderful opportunist goals to keep Newcastle in the game.

Demba Ba looked one terrific striker in the game at Norwich yesterday. Demba Ba - two great goals yesterday The Senegal striker worked well with Shola Ameobi up front, and the Magpies looked good going forward, and that was good because we were very poor in defense yesterday, and conceded four poor goals.

The football world is still trying, and failing, to come to terms with the loss of a legend.

The shocking news on the sudden death of Wales manager Gary Speed brought the country to a stand-still. Since the announcement there has been an endless amount of tributes for the 42 year old husband and father, showing just how much he meant to not only football, but the UK itself.

Shola Ameobi, one of Newcastle's most experienced players, has come out and said something that is needed this week. Shola Ameobi - lads will still fight Shola, who is a big and positive influence in the dressing room according to Alan Pardew, has come out today and said the lads will still be fighting like crazy after only getting a single point out of our last three games.

Shola Ameobi came on for Ben Arfa in the second half yesterday and almost scored with a terrific shot which thundered off the post with Petr Cech beaten. Shola Ameobi -- all hands to the pump In fact Newcastle hit the woodwork three times yesterday, and just like the game at the Etihad Stadium two [.

By Alan Duffy

Newcastle 0-3 Chelsea Premier League December 3rd 2011

Chelsea eased a little bit more of the pressure on their wiry manager Andre Villas-Boas after putting three past the Magpies at St James' Park. A revitalised Didier Drogba but the visitors ahead on 38 minutes, heading home from a Juan Mata cross.

A bit of surprise in the Newcastle side today to face Chelsea, as Peter Lovenkrands has been drafted in to replace the suspended Jonas Gutierrez, and Sammy Ameobi is on the bench. And that's the only enforced change from the team that started against Manchester United last Saturday, and miraculously came away with a well earned point.

Sammy Ameobi will in all likelihood start in place of the suspended Jonas Gutierrez on the left wing against Chelsea this afternoon. Sammy Ameobi 6'3″ promising Newcastle winger It's obvious from what Sammy says that he's been brought up in a good family, and it also seems his older brother Shola has had a massive influence on him.

Two days on and the football world is still trying, and failing, to come to terms with the loss of a legend.

Sunday's shocking news on the sudden death of Wales manager Gary Speed brought the country to a stand-still. Since the announcement there has been an endless amount of tributes for the 42 year old husband and father, showing just how much he meant to not only football, but the UK itself.

Gabriel Obertan returns to the starting line-up for Newcastle United in place of young Sammy Ameobi for this afternoon's game at Old Trafford. The former Manchester United winger has missed the last two games with a toe infection, but is now back in the starting line-up and replaces the 19 year old younger brother of [.

Gabriel Obertan is back in the Newcastle squad for their tough game against Manchester United this afternoon. Gabriel Obertan - could start this afternoon Last Saturday at the Etihad Stadium Sammy Ameobi came in and had a good game on the right wing, and Sammy could keep his place for this afternoon's game.

Whether to start Sammy Ameobi on the right wing on Saturday is only one of Alan Pardew's selection decisions he will need to make this Saturday. Sammy Ameobi showing Gael Clichy his skills last satruday With Gabriel Obertan being fit again from his toe infection, Alan may prefer to start the former Manchester United player [.

'What does that even mean?' I hear you ask. It means that Darren Bent and Kasabian frontman Tom Meighan were both handed a five-a-side team to control. Literally. The players were kitted out with some fancy headgear which instructed them to strike, tackle, cross, dribble, slide, pass as directed by Bent and Meighan from their [.

We have a sneaking suspicion that Sammy Ameobi will keep his place for the game at Old Trafford on Saturday. Newcastle's weapon in action at the Etihad Stadium Saturday And that's even if Gabriel Obertan is fit again, and we think the Frenchman could start on the bench, even though the game is against his former [.

Here is the full match report of Newcastle's loss to Manchester City today, which we compiled as the game was being played. The game kicked off and Sammy Ameobi got involved well down the right wing. It was obvious the Newcastle were going to press Man City players when they god the ball. James Milner had [.

Both Ben Arfa and Sammy Ameobi will start this afternoon at the Etihad Stadium. Ben Arfa gets his very first league start since breaking his left leg in this same fixture last year. Sammy Ameobi makes his first Premier League start ever. Leon Best did not make it so it looks like Sammy will be [...]

19 year-old Sammy Ameobi has been given a new five year improved contract at Newcastle. Sammy Ameobi in action for England U21s last week The now two times capped England U21 International had a deal that was going to run out next summer, but Newcastle have come in an signed the very promising player [.

By Chris Wright

Patrice Evra. Anton Ferdinand, Sammy Ameobi, Daniel Sturridge, Frazier Campbell, Alan of Braga. It seems that every few days over the past few weeks another fresh report of *alleged* racism has surfaced whether on the pitch, in the stands or on the often stupefying petri-dish of open twattery that is Twitter.

Sammy Ameobi made his starting debut last night for the England U21 side in Belgium. Sammy Ameobi in action last night in Belgium But it was a surprise defeat for England after four successive wins in their Group 10, and after England were 1-0 up at the half, Belgium came back and won with two goals in the last 18 minutes, with the winner coming in [.

Former Newcastle left back Stuart Pearce, now managing the England U21 side told Sammy Ameobi, after his England U21 debut on Thursday night, that he was delighted with the youngster's performance and thought Sammy played really well. Sammy Ameobi Pearce impressed with the Newcastle youngster The 19 year-old had only been called up to the squad on Tuesday evening, because of injuries [.

19 year-old Sammy Ameobi has now joined up with the England U21 squad, and he will be hoping he makes his debut for the side on Thursday, when they play Iceland at Colchester in their Group 8 qualifier. Sammy Ameobi - after scoring that great goal at Scunthorpe Shola's younger brother is only one of the players who seem [.

England Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce has made three changes to his 25-man squad for the Euro 2013 qualifier against Iceland in Colchester on Thursday. Sammy Ameobi England U21 call-up With Sunderland's Connor Wickham and Middlesbrough's Alex Nimely both out with injury, and Jack Rodwell promoted to the full England squad, Sammy Ameobi of Newcastle is one of [.

Newcastle started the game against Everton yesterday without Shola Ameobi, Cheick Tiote and Mike Williamson, but the ended the game with three more players injured. Ryan Taylor mobbed after great goal yesterday Before the game early yesterday, Shola Ameobi had been interviewed and said he hoped to be be fit again from his hamstring injury for the visit to Manchester City in a couple of weeks time.

Over the last couple of weeks or so, the Premier League has become gripped by a weird frenzy. It started with the accusations made by Patrice Evra towards Luiz Suarez in the aftermath of the 1-1 draw between Liverpool and Manchester United, and has reached a crescendo as we await the results of the police investigation into similar accusations made after the match between Queens Park Rangers and Chelsea a couple of weeks ago.

News today that Northumbria Police have arrested two teenagers in connection with racial abuse that was sent to Sammy Ameobi's twitter account. Sammy Ameobi racially abused on twitter The Newcastle United club had posted a message earlier this week saying their 19 year-old player had told them he had been racially abused on his Twitter account.

Sammy Ameobi is a player likely to see some action in the Carling Cup 4th round tie at Blackburn Rovers tonight. Sammy Ameobi - after scoring great winner at Scunthorpe Sammy is one of Newcastle's many bright young stars, and he has so far played 5 times for the club, with one amazing goal [...]

Shola Ameobi has picked up another hamstring injury and will be out of action for up to six weeks. Shola Ameobi - yet another hamstring injury Injuries have blighted Shola Ameobi's eleven seasons on Tyneside as part of the first team squad, and he picked up his injury against Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

Alan Pardew has indicated his targets over the next couple of years by saying he wants to add to Newcastle United's empty trophy cabinet.

While Newcastle fans should not be looking toward winning the premier league, which seems totally out of their reach despite their fantastic start, the Carling Cup or FA cup must be the focus points.

Ever since we saw David Santon race down the touchline with Sammy Ameobi and mob Jonas Gutierrez, after Jonas scored that wonderful goal at Molineaux a few weeks ago, we've taken a shining to the young Italian. Davide Santon seems to just love Newcastle And it seems that Davide has settled so quickly on Tyneside, that his parents have now returned to Italy, earlier than first planned, [.