NEWCASTLE striker Shola Ameobi has admitted that Graeme Souness' hardline approach could be just what his team-mates need as they look to recover from their poor start to the season.

Souness, who will take up his new post at St James' Park on Monday, has been appointed as Sir Bobby Robson's successor in an attempt to instill some discipline into a dressing room that was seen to be out of control during the previous regime.

Robson struggled to curb the excesses of some of United's younger element, with Kieron Dyer forced to issue a public apology following his refusal to play on the right of midfield against Middlesbrough and Craig Bellamy threatening to walk out on the Magpies if they had been successful in their pursuit of Wayne Rooney.

Souness has been involved in well-publicised bust-ups before, with David Dunn, Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke all finding themselves squeezed out of Ewood Park following disagreements with the new United boss.

Ameobi insists that tales of dressing room disharmony do not ring true, but the England Under-21 international has admitted that Souness' short, sharp shock treatment could have a positive impact.

"Graeme Souness is known for being a strict disciplinarian and I see that as a positive thing," said Ameobi, who was close to a call-up to the full England squad earlier this season. "I agree that we need to have better discipline at the club.

"Most of the stories about players causing trouble in the dressing room are untrue, but I can't argue that a new strict regime won't do us some good.

"It's time for us as a group to get our house in order both on and off the field. And if we improve on our discipline I can only see it helping us when we get on to the pitch.

"A lot has been said and written about certain characters in our dressing room but I believe we have a set of lads who are all willing to listen to new ideas and to learn.

"Every single player here wants to improve, with no exceptions, and I believe that we will all knuckle down and do that under the new manager."

Ameobi is yet to start a Premiership game this season, with Robson pairing Alan Shearer with Craig Bellamy before handing Patrick Kluivert his debut in last month's ill-fated 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa.

The Nigeria-born frontman was Newcastle's most influential striker in the last two months of last season and, with Souness starting with a blank page next week, is desperate to force his way back into the first-team as quickly as possible.

"I've now been presented with a great opportunity to stake my claim for a regular place," said Ameobi. "I desperately want to impress the manager and I hope that I'm given a chance to do so. I can't see why I won't be judged on the same level as the other strikers here."

Meanwhile, Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks has revealed that the club have discussed offering Robson an instant return to the game.

The former Newcastle boss spent 13 years in charge of the Suffolk side, winning the FA Cup and the UEFA Cup in the process, and could be offered a strategic role at Portman Road.

"I have thought about it and I'm sure the supporters here have had the same thoughts," said Sheepshanks.

"I would imagine Bobby will be weighing up all sorts of opportunities and there have been reports of FA interest as well.

"There would be many factors to take into consideration and I am sure we will think about it again. One day, if it was appropriate, then wouldn't it be lovely?"

l Blackburn Rovers have confirmed that Dean Saunders has quit his post at Ewood Park to join Souness' backroom staff at Newcastle.

l Former Holland coach Dick Advocaat yesterday submitted his application to be the next manager of Blackburn but he faces stiff competition from around 30 ''high-quality'' rivals.

Advocaat, also former manager of Rangers, is understood to have applied for the job vacated by Souness after speaking with one of the players at Blackburn.

Mark Hughes, the current Wales manager who has formerly a player at Ewood Park, remains the favourite but Rovers chief executive John Williams believes the club are spoilt for choice, saying: ''We are now in a position to draw up a shortlist with a view to making an early appointment.