Shola backs Robson to reform 'bad boy' Bowyer

Eyebrows were raised around Tyneside when Robson swooped to sign controversial Bowyer on a four-year deal after the midfielder turned his back on his relegated boyhood heroes West Ham United.

And now the former Leeds United midfielder has been reunited with former Elland Road teammate Jonathan Woodgate at St James' Park.

The pair both stood trial for an assault on Asian student Sarfraz Najeib more than three years ago, when Bowyer was acquitted of all charges.

The signing of Bowyer has led to many of Newcastle's stars being labelled as the Wild Bunch, with both Kieron Dyer and Craig Bellamy among those who have fallen foul of the law.

However, Newcastle front-man Ameobi, currently on England Under-21 duty, is convinced Robson can get the best out of Bowyer and also steer the player clear of trouble in the future.

"Lee is an excellent player and he is a great acquisition," said Ameobi.

"He has had his problems and he's going to be around other Newcastle players who have been in the press, but hopefully he will be in the papers for the right reasons.

"There's no better manager to handle Lee.

"He (Robson) is top class and a very respected man in football, as everybody knows. He knows what he's talking about.

"He has helped the likes of Craig Bellamy and Kieron Dyer while he has been at Newcastle, making them better players, and there's no reason why he can't make Lee Bowyer a fantastic player.

"He (Robson) has handled the bad press fantastically well and he has stuck with his players.

"That's the main thing about the manager, he knows how to treat the players.

"Different players need different handling and he is capable of doing that."

Ameobi enjoyed his best campaign in a Newcastle shirt last season but he is still playing second fiddle to the exciting front-pairing of Alan Shearer and Bellamy.

While admitting frustration at his lack of first-team action, the 21-year-old is also having to cope with speculation that Robson is considering moves to add more firepower to his squad.

Ipswich Town's Darren Bent, an Under-21 teammate with Ameobi, Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert and Southampton's James Beattie have all been linked with a move to the North-East.

But Newcastle's Mr Cool remains confident he will be able to force his way into the first-team on a regular basis in the future.

"I am fully aware that to play in the Champions League we need a squad of players," said Ameobi. "It's not ideal for me but for the club it is needed.

"You don't get disheartened when you read forwards being linked with the club.

"But I'm in charge of my own destiny and I know that.

"When there's competition I have to prove that I deserve to be in there.

"That will not change if there are six strikers or two strikers at the club.

"We are in the Champions League and I know the manager needs to add to his squad so that we can challenge for the League and the Champions League."

Ameobi is likely to spearhead David Platt's Under-21s side in the European Championship qualifier against Slovakia at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday.

And the Newcastle star, who has scored seven goals in 16 appearances for the Under-21s, is hoping to continue his good form.

''Last season was excellent for Newcastle, with us qualifying for the Champions League," said Ameobi, scorer of the opening goal in the 2-1 win over Serbia & Montenegro Under-21s last Monday.

"At the moment I am on cloud nine.

"This week has been excellent because to play for your country and score goals for your country is a dream any kid would want and I am living that dream.

"It's fantastic for me, especially with the joy I experienced with Newcastle.

"To keep it going has been superb."

Meanwhile, Newcastle clubmate Darren Ambrose could miss Tuesday's match on Wearside after struggling with illness.

Magpies front-man Michael Chopra and Middlesbrough full-back Stuart Parnaby are both fit and in contention for a place.

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