Shola Ameobi is confident of his place at Newcastle United.

The powerful frontman is a key member of Alan Pardew's squad and he is thriving by playing under a boss who believes in him.

"I'm a guy that thrives on a manager that wants me around and feels I'm a big part of the team and squad," the 31-year-old told the Evening Chronicle.

"I do play my best when a manager backs me all the way, and I know I have that here.

"For me, that breeds confidence in my game, and I think you can see that in the way I'm playing, and my life as a whole. When that's settled, I play my best football.

"Newcastle's where I want to play my football.

"But I've always stated I'm not going to stay where I'm not wanted. That's something that's important to me. I want to feel like a manager wants me around, and I've got a chance of playing.

"At times, that hasn't been the case. But for some reason or another things have transpired that those managers have left, and new ones have come in that have wanted me.

"Obviously, Newcastle is the team I love and support, and want to play for. It's nights like this that make it worthwhile. At times it's been frustrating, not playing as much as I'd like, but regardless of that, I have to work as hard as I can and fight my way into that team.

"As long as I'm here, I'm going to do that."