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Cape Town - Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has called out forward Sammy Ameobi to raise his game for the struggling English Premiership club this season.
The 22-year-old former England Under-21 international has declared his intentions to switch allegiance and play for Nigeria like his older brother, Shola.
Ameobi has been a bit-part player for the Magpies since graduating from the youth ranks in 2011, but Pardew wants to see more from him, with his contract expiring at the end of the current campaign.
"We've had to have the patience of a saint with Sammy and he'll admit that," the Toon boss said. "Now we need to see him deliver.
"The threat to him is still there - this is a big season for him. He did particularly well when he came on at Swansea. He's someone I've spoken about so many times over the past few seasons, talking about his potential.
"He's been a young player in the shadow of his brother for a long time. But this is a guy who is quick and has fantastic technical ability. He should be ripping this division up really, but he hasn't been.
"I was in a lift with him and his head was hitting the ceiling - he's six foot five as well. So he has looked a lot better this season but now he has to concentrate."
Ameobi came off the bench and supplied the assist to equalise in the 2-2 draw against Swansea in their last league match before the international break.
