Portsmouth are targeting Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi according to the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.

Ameobi is being checked on by Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp as a possible replacement for Nwankwo Kanu and John Utaka who are currently at the African Cup of Nations.

The former England Under-21 International faces stiff competition at St James' Park with Michael Owen, Mark Viduka and Obafemi Martins all ahead of him in the pecking order.

Although Ameobi is thought to be intent on fighting for his place under the newly-appointed Kevin Keegan and made his first appearance for the Toon since September in Keegan's first game back, playing the whole game at the weekend.

Keegan was full of praise for Ameobi, saying: "I asked Shola if we could get 30 minutes out of him off the bench, and he played 90 minutes.

"It wasn't ideal for him, but I thought he did terrifically well for us."

Keegan is believed to be intent on keeping his senoir players and is hoping that Ameobi he is capable of putting his injury problems behind him along with improving his current game.

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