After making just eight appearances for Newcastle this season, Shola Ameobi will end the season as Stoke City player after signed a loan deal with the Potters for the rest of the season.

Before the confirmation of his loan signing, Ameobi has been named in the Newcastle squad for tonight’s reserve team match against Manchester United at Northwich Victoria. He finds the target in last week’s 2-2 reserve draw at Bolton Wanderers.

Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan said that the 26-year-old striker still has the chance to go back into his plans in the future. having just eight appearances for the Toon this season, Ameobi falling behind Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins and Mark Viduka for the striker place at St James’s Park, with Toon youngster Andy Carroll is looking way ahead of him.

Ex-United manager Glenn Roeder also stated his admiration to sign Ameobi, while other first division team Plymouth and Ipswich are also said to have shown an interest. Stoke has moved fast before them to bring Ameobi to Britannia stadium and could make his debut at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

He was there before, playing up front as the striker for Newcastle United since his early days in the United academy. He also have scores some important goals for Newcastle during his old times including the Champions league goal against Barcelona in Nou Camp on 11 December 2002.

Sidelined for 5 months during 2006/07 after a hip operation in November 2006, his name seems out of any attention, and his career with Newcastle is in big doubt.

But, he is being recalled to the first team by Kevin Keegan last weekend against Bolton and that was his second senior action for Newcastle this season since the League Cup tie at Arsenal way back in September.

“Obviously, it was a special match for us with the gaffer Kevin Keegan and I think we gave it everything we could out there.” Shola told the official site, “Bolton played really well and defended really well and we came away with a draw but that is the start of things to come. It is the second time for us as players, for the manager and for the fans.”

Being called back for the game last weekend to fill the gap left by the late Mark Viduka calf injury, Ameobi battled out in the full 90 minutes game alongside Michael Owen.

“I was so pleased with Shola Ameobi.” Keegan comment on his appearance, “He hadn’t played or trained and I asked him yesterday morning if he would go substitute and get 30 minutes out of it. Then I had to go and ask him to play 90 minutes.”

“But the game was better than any training sessions. He was blowing a bit at the end, but did well for us.”

Signed for Newcastle United Academy on July 1, 1995, Shola did not make his debut for the senior team until five years later under Sir Bobby Robson. His first senior team debut was in September 9, 2000, in a home draw against Chelsea. His debut for England U21 in 2000/2001, until now he has 20 England Under21 caps with 7 goals.

Shola still have a year left on his current contract with Newcastle until the end of 2008/2009 season.