8 Newcastle United Players Fighting For New Contracts

8. Sammy Ameobi

Just a few weeks ago it looked almost certain that Sammy Ameobi was playing himself towards a new deal - but after being left out of the starting line-up against Liverpool and Swansea City he was also hooked at half-time in the defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, ensuring his future remains questionable. Ameobi has made 23 appearances this season, scoring twice - and has made a total of 62 in his Newcastle career, with four goals in all. He has shown glimpses of his talent, with a brilliant solo goal at White Hart Lane last October one prime example, but all-too-often he fails to deliver a killer final ball. One thing Ameobi has which the Magpies squad is severely lacking in is pace, and the fact his wages would be relatively low - plus he would count as one of the club's homegrown players - could yet mean he is retained. Verdict: 50-50 chance of a new deal - a complete coin-flip this one. The chances of him following his brother Shola and staying at St James' Park for 14 years are now up in the air...