Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi is delighted to be competing for European qualification again.
The Magpies head for Arsenal on Monday night sitting in sixth place in the table.
Ameobi said: "It would be a full circle, wouldn't it?
"It's been a great journey. When I first came into the team, I thought we would be in Europe every season because that's what I was used to, playing in the Champions League and the UEFA Cup at the time.
"But things never last. For me, the fact that I started on such a high and then obviously hit rock-bottom when we were relegated three or four years ago, to see the turn-around so quickly has been a marvellous thing.
"I wanted to help the club when we went down to get back to where we were eight or 10 years ago, and I have always had faith that this club would come back, so it would be great to see it come so quickly.
"We know we have got a long way to go - it's not just a quick fix, it's a long-term plan that they have here at this club.
"But it would be a great step in the right direction if we did finish in Europe this year." "Two or three years ago, we were in the league below and if you had told people we would be fighting for a European spot this year, I don't think many people would have believed you.
