Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi is on the brink of legend status.

If the 31-year-old Newcastle striker returns from a minor knee injury to face Anzhi for the second leg of their Europa League clash at St James Park, it will be his 50th appearance for the club in European competition.

Ameobi, who made his European debut 12 years ago in an Intertoto Cup tie in Lokeren, will move ahead of former captain Alan Shearer if Alan Pardew uses him in the tie which is poised at 0-0 after last week's first leg in Moscow.

Ameobi said: "It's remarkable really. I didn't know I had played 49 games in Europe in Moscow, I was shocked.

"I didn't know I would overtake Alan. I'm a lucky boy. Every time I have put on the Newcastle shirt I have added myself to the history of the club and that means so much to me. I'm flying the flag for Newcastle and that is so important to me. Now I just want to get us into the last eight, where anything is possible."