Ameobi has seven goals in as many games this season

Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi believes losing focus is the biggest threat to their Championship promotion hopes this season.

The Magpies lead the division by 10 points going into the Boxing Day trip to Sheffield Wednesday, a lead Ameobi is determined not to give away.

"The big thing from my point of view is complacency and we haven't had that this season," he told BBC Newcastle.

"Hopefully we can stay away from that and keep on battling."

Under boss Chris Hughton, Newcastle have risen to the top of the Championship and since October have remained league leaders, winning eight of their last nine games.

Ameobi admitted their achievements at this stage have surpassed pre-season expectations, and revealed that finishing the job is now his and his team-mates' priority.

"If you told us we'd be 10 points clear by Christmas a lot of people would have looked at you funny," he said.

"But we've had a job to do and if we put everything into it. We can come away winning this league.

"That's always been the intention from the very first game. We're only halfway done and have to keep it going, but it's a great start for us."

Nigerian-born Ameobi has made more than 250 appearances for Newcastle, with seven goals in seven games this season.

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