Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew is delighted with the progress of young striker Nile Ranger.
Pardew admits he almost sent the youngster away on-loan last month.
Pardew said: "I'd have considered it (this season) if Shola was fit and we had Andy Carroll, or a replacement for him, in the building.
"Nile's very important for us between now and the end of the season and in this period we'll know what we're going to do with him next season. He could be forcing to get in and around the team for us, he has the potential to do that.
"He gets under centre-halves. I can think of players, Michael Owen in his own way once, he gets past you, he gets under you, there's no getting back to him, he's got that pace and he's good at that.
"He needs to concentrate and understand what the job's about and what the profession's about at times. He's very much aware that his time-keeping has improved and his professionalism on the training ground has improved, but it could still be better."
