Shola Ameobi admits being an elder statesman at Newcastle United is a surprise.

Ameobi cannot quite believe his is now one of the senior voices in the dressing room after a whirlwind career with his home-town club.

He said: "It's gone so quickly. When I pass people in the street, they can't believe I am 30.

"It's gone by that fast, but it soon comes upon you and you obviously have to change the way you look at things and change your game as well."