Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi is ready for his international debut for Nigeria.

He is now hoping to make his mark on the international scene.

Ameobi said: "I want to do the best that I can, I don't just want to be a local hero, I want to be an international one. That's what has driven the decision.

"This is the first opportunity that has arisen to do something that I've always felt passionately about and I've always wanted to do. It's a great honour and I don't take it lightly. It's something that I've wanted to do and I'm really, really happy that I've got the opportunity to do it now."