Shola Ameobi: 'Newcastle United can still qualify for Europe'

Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi has insisted that the Magpies can still qualify for next season's Europa League, despite the disappointing defeat to bottom side Fulham at the weekend.

Ameobi's side are now eight points off sixth-placed Everton, which is the final spot that guarantees a European place, but the player has not given up the fight yet.

"Hopefully I can help us in these last nine games and play a part in the run-in and see if I can get up as high as I can and hopefully finish in a European position, which is our ambition as a club," Ameobi told The Journal.

"We still believe we can do it. As players you look and see there is still 27 points to play for. That's a lot of points and way more than enough to get us into Europe.

"We're still fighting even though Southampton have gone ahead of us but we play the next two games at home and they will be vital come the end of the season as to where we finish."

Newcastle take on Crystal Palace at home on Saturday.