FAUSTINO ASPRILLA's fabled Newcastle United hat-trick against Barcelona five years ago is the inspiration for Shola Ameobi here at the Nou Camp tonight as he attempts to replace the "irreplaceable'' Alan Shearer.

With skipper Shearer and strike partner Craig Bellamy both suspended, it falls to 21-year-old Ameobi to lead the line in only his second Champions League start.

On the face of it, the prospect is daunting for the ex-Walker Central striker, who hopes to be paired with close friend and fellow rookie Lomana LuaLua.

Nigeria-born Ameobi, who under Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson's tutelage has risen to the England Under-21 ranks, was a schoolboy fan among the St. James' Park crowd the night Colombian striker Asprilla ran riot against Barca as the Magpies inflicted an unforgettable 3-2 Champions League defeat on the Catalan kings.

Now Ameobi is ready to live the dream he admits he has been having in the days leading up to the biggest game of his young life.

"It's fantastic for me,'' he confessed.

"Suddenly, I could be centre stage - it'll be a great experience.

"It's good to know that the manager is not afraid to use youngsters, no matter who we are playing.

"Three years ago I was nowhere - it's all come to me really quickly. It's a fabulous life and I couldn't have asked for any more, but to play in the Champions League against Barcelona would top everything.

"When Tino Asprilla scored that hat-trick against them, I was a schoolboy. I was at the game in the East Stand, and afterwards I thought: 'This is what I want to do.' It was an amazing night for Newcastle and the fans.

"It touched me and moved me on; I wanted to be out there.

"I would love to score against Barcelona, and I have actually dreamed about scoring the winner at the Nou Camp.

"Lomana and me are big pals. With both first-choice strikers out, we could get the chance to show we can play together.

"I would love to play alongside him. We just want to prove we can play against the best.''

Shearer begins a two-match ban imposed by UEFA's disciplinary body for elbowing Inter Milan's Fabio Cannavaro in United's disastrous 4-1 defeat on Tyneside a fortnight ago, when Bellamy was dismissed after only five minutes for lashing out at Marco Materazzi.

Ameobi said: "When Craig was sent off, it was a massive blow for us.

"Then, a couple of days later, we learned we were losing Alan.

"He's been a top marksman for years - he's irreplaceable.

"He's a fantastic goalscorer and the man of the moment. Of course, there's a bit of pressure coming in for him, but I'm confident.

"I will just try to play my own game. Alan said to me: 'If you play, just enjoy it - that's all you can do.' It's a big match and if you can't enjoy nights like these, there's no point being here.''

Robson said: "There's only one Alan Shearer, but we have someone who will go in and play the way he can.''

Stand-in captain Gary Speed, banned for Saturday's 1-0 win at Aston Villa, returns to midfield where Robson is minus the option of Hugo Viana because of a dislocated shoulder, which he will have pinned next week.

Team (probable): Given; Griffin, O'Brien, Hughes, Bernard; Solano, Dyer, Speed, Robert; Ameobi, LuaLua.

Barca, defending a fortress where they have yet to lose in ten games in all competitions this season, are without skipper Luis Enrique and Gabri through injury.

Team (probable): Bonano; Puyol, Reiziger, De Boer, Cocu; Motta, Xavi, Mendieta; Saviola, Riquelme; Kluivert.

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