BUGGER!

Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi may have played his last game this season.

The 25-year-old was pressed into service at the weekend as Roeder tried to squeeze one more game out of him before he undergoes surgery on his hip-cartilage problem.

Ameobi will be booked in with top US specialist Marc Philippon - the man who saved the career of former Sunderland striker Kevin Kyle - as soon as possible.

The striker said: "It all depends on what the medical team say, but this might be my last game. It is a no-brainer - an operation is inevitable.

"It is a shame, but I know I have been lucky enough to last this long. I just have to look at Kevin Kyle, who was out for two years.

"I have the same problem and I have been fortunate enough to be able to struggle on. I could have been out for as a long as he has."