Newcastle boss Bobby Robson was toasting Shola Ameobi after the teenager's first Premiership start against Leeds United on Boxing Day.

Robson was forced to field the 19-year-old because of the long-term absence of his captain Alan Shearer, who underwent surgery on his injured knee on Wednesday.

Ameobi went on to have a highly impressive match, teaming up well with 21-year-old Kieron Dyer in Newcastle's 2-1 win.

Robson said: "What with Shearer, and five weeks before Carl Cort is back, Shola's preformance has been a Godsend.

"We needed a header of the ball because Leeds are a big side, and Shola can do that, but he played wonderfully well on the deck as well.

Shearer fear

"For someone 19 years of age, he lasted the game immensely well.

"He put up a good show for us and Kieron enjoyed playing with him."

"He was superb, but he's been playing like that in training and for the reserves for a while now," Barton said.

"He's been patient, worked hard, and the manager has shown faith in him.

"Shola gives us that little bit extra and demonstrates the potential at the club these days."

Robson expects Shearer to be out of action for at least three months because of his knee problem, but fears that the England captain could be out for the rest of the season.