Toronto keen to buy Newcastle's Ameobi
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Published Date: 22 May 2008
By Damian Spellman
FORMER Newcastle United coach John Carver is ready to offer striker Shola Ameobi the chance to make his name in the MLS.
Carver, who worked as Sir Bobby Robson's first-team coach at St James' Park and briefly acted as caretaker following his departure in 2004, is currently making his way in the management game at Toronto FC.
And he is hoping to persuade Ameobi, 26,ADVERTISEMENT
whom he helped to bring through the academy ranks on Tyneside, that his future lies on the other side of the Atlantic.
Carver said: "I need some firepower up front and I am looking for new players, especially a striker.
"I have got my side organised now and have made Toronto difficult to beat, but I need to sign players in that area.
"Shola is a kid I brought through the system at Newcastle United, and a kid I know an awful lot about.
"If I can get Shola into this football club, he would be a huge, huge asset for us."
Ameobi found himself surplus to requirements at Newcastle last season – he started only four games and made just two appearances under new manager Kevin Keegan – and ended the campaign with a loan spell at Stoke City.
However, he appears to have rejected the chance to join the newly promoted Potters on a permanent basis.
If he does move to Toronto, he would find several familiar faces there with former Magpie, Laurent Robert, and Sunderland old boys, Danny Dichio and Carl Robinson, already on the books at BMO Field.
Robert in particular has impressed his new manager after rather losing his way in recent seasons.
Carver said: "It's not about what players have to prove, it's about the fact they have so much to play for and offer.
"Newcastle fans know what Robert's ability is about. From what I have seen in the short space of time he has been here, he has some desire back.
"He has had a couple of wayward years and he actually seems to want to prove a point.
"He's not here on holiday, he's working hard and he's a great professional."
Meanwhile, Newcastle were today still mulling over their options over midfielder Joey Barton following his imprisonment.
The club were adding nothing to their initial non-committal statement amid suggestions the 25-year-old will be sacked for gross misconduct.
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