Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has hailed the current form of Shola Ameobi.

The Nigeria striker is off contract in June.

Pardew told Absolute Radio: "Well one thing I would never say is he is moody, because he is an absolutely fantastic character. He just gets himself up to particular games, perhaps to a higher level, and therefore he can nab these games that are just phenomenal.

"Probably his weakness is having that level every game, and that has cost him getting a regular place at times at this football club. He is a fantastic player. I love him to bits. Again, he will be going to the World Cup, and I wouldn't want England to play him when he is on his debut. He is a real handful, he really is. And he has got great feet.

"He is six foot five, and you look at him as a big man, but he has got as good a feet as I've ever seen for a big striker. He can manoeuver the ball and take it away from you when you think you have won it. And obviously he won the penalty at Palace the other day doing just that."

Pardew was speaking to Absolute Radio's Rock 'N' Roll Football with Ian Wright, Saturdays from 5pm. For more, visit absoluteradio.co.uk/football.