Shola Ameobi has fired a warning at Newcastle striker signings Mark Viduka and Alan Smith.

The fit-again forward is determined to establish himself under new manager Sam Allardyce and told The Journal: "The injury is over and I am only looking forward. I want to play a big part for Newcastle this season. I feel I have to do that. I am nearly 26 and I want to be playing football week in, week out.

"I am mentally stronger now after what has happened to me with the injury. I think it will help me in the long run and now I just have to produce performances which keep me in the team.

"My aim is to get into the first-team starting line-up and stay there, to become the gaffer's first-choice striker. I am not getting any younger and the days of having potential and promise are over. I now have to prove it on the pitch.

"I have always been a competitive person. Just ask Alan Shearer. He was in the side, but that didn't put me off because I love the competition for places.

"It keeps me on my toes and as a striker I think you need to be looking over your shoulder all the time and wondering which players the manager is going to favour. It keeps you fresh.

"I think I deserved to be in the side when I played and I believe I am good enough to be in the starting line-up now. I know what I can do, but I also know that Newcastle are a big club and they need fully-fit strikers, which is what I have to prove."