MAGPIE star Shola Ameobi has pledged his allegiance to the Three Lions rather than the Super Eagles having watched the problems faced by Arsenal star Kanu.

Young Newcastle striker Ameobi has decided his international future now lies with England rather than Nigeria following his second Under-21 call-up.

Ameobi made his debut in last month's 4-0 humiliation by Spain in a friendly at St Andrews, producing arguably the most impressive performance of the squad after coming on for Derby's Malcolm Christie at half-time.

The 19-year-old is now poised for his first competitive outing on Friday as England, under Howard Wilkinson, face their Finland counterparts in the third of their European Championship Group Nine qualifiers at Barnsley's Oakwell ground following opening draws with Germany and the Finns.

For Ameobi, it will mean turning his back on the country where he was born and raised for the first six years of his life, but it underlines his commitment to his adopted country.

Despite having spent his last 13 years in Newcastle - Ameobi even speaks with a Geordie accent - but concedes his decision in choosing England over Nigeria was one of the most difficult he has had to face.

In the end, one of the main factors was avoiding the countless club versus country rows which Nigeria striker Kanu has become embroiled in since he joined Arsenal two years ago.

''My head is focused on playing for England,'' confirmed Ameobi. ''That's the choice I've made, although it was a tough one.

''The Nigerian boss (Jo Bonfrere) was in touch a couple of weeks ago and at that stage I had not made up my mind.

''He was trying to get me to play for Nigeria, but I'm going to have to call him this week and tell him that I've chosen England.

''I don't think he will be best pleased, but hopefully he will wish me all the best.

''But having grown up here I'm now used to the English way of playing. The African way is a bit different and it would have been difficult to get used to another mentality in playing for Nigeria.

''But I've also looked at the awful problems faced by Kanu when he has been called up by Nigeria. I decided I didn't want anything like that to jeopardise my career.

''My family have backed me all the way. I know my father (John) is pleased with the decision I have made.''

Ameobi has proved a big hit at St James Park since making his debut at the age of just 18 in September when he came on as a substitute in a goalless draw at home to Chelsea.

Since then, the 6ft 3ins frontman has gone from strength to strength, with his place in the Under-21s the icing on the cake.

''It's great to be involved with the best Under-21 players in the country, particularly as not so long ago no one had even heard of me,'' added Ameobi.

''These last few months have been a dream. Everything has just happened so quickly. Now I just want to get out there and play.''

Brian Kidd, meanwhile, has quit his coaching role with England in order to concentrate on his recent appointment as Leeds' first-team coach.

Kidd, who would have been involved with the Under-21s this week, said: ''I have spoken to Howard Wilkinson and thanked him for permitting me to work with the Under-21s.

''Perhaps one day I may be fortunate enough to be involved at international level. But for me the immediate future is all about Leeds United and what we are trying to achieve at Elland Road.''

l Mick McCarthy was able to rejoin the Republic of Ireland squad in time for their flight to Cyprus yesterday after spending time with his seriously ill father.

The Republic boss had left assistant Ian Evans in temporary charge while he rushed to his parents' house in Barnsley to see his dad Charlie.

But McCarthy returned to the squad's hotel in time to join his players on their trip to the airport ahead of Saturday's World Cup qualifier.

The Republic arrive on the holiday island, currently basking in 25-degree temperatures, several days before the match to acclimatise to the warm weather.

Their planned warm-up against Denmark was called off because of the freezing conditions and the team havn't played together since the 2-0 win over Finland in November.

Sunderland striker Niall Quinn was ruled out of the squad and told to rest his injured back for a month shortly after the party was named last week.