And the striker – who started the season in explosive style before succumbing to a stress injury to a bone in his foot – could be back in action by the end of the month, according to boss Chris Hughton.

More immediately, Hughton remains "hopeful" that Steven Taylor will be fit for Saturday's home game against Peterborough United, with the defender – who has sat out Newcastle's last four home games with a hamstring problem – having returned to training.

"Steven's back in contention," said Hughton. "He trained last week, and has been doing so again this week. He missed Sheffield United, but we hope he'll be back against Peterborough."

Ameobi, meamwhile, has been sidelined for more than two months, having been injured after coming off the bench to rescue United in their Carling Cup tie against Huddersfield Town in late August.

The 28-year-old scored his fifth goal of the season in the game, and Hughton expects him to step up his recovery during the coming international break, with Ameobi pencilled in for a return at home against either Swansea City, on November 28, or Watford seven days later.

Hughton went on: "We're looking at the end of the month for Shola. With the injury he's had, we have to give him the correct amount of time to recover.

"We've got the international break coming up, and that brings him even closer.

"It's been a massive blow, not only for him, but for us. He was playing very well, and, hopefully, he can pick up where he left off."