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Opportunity Knocks For Sammy And Co
Written by Newcastle Utd
Young forward Sammy Ameobi is looking to impress while on United's training camp in Portugal
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Sammy Ameobi believes Newcastle's pre-season training camp in Portugal will present him and some of the Club's other starlets with a perfect opportunity to establish themselves in the first team squad.
Ameobi, along with the likes of Adam Campbell, Haris Vuckic and Paul Dummett, has travelled to Braga for a gruelling week of training as preparations intensify ahead of the 2013/14 Premier League campaign.
Having already faced Motherwell on Tuesday night in friendly action, in which all four youngsters featured, United will now play two warm-up games in Portugal - against Rio Ave on Saturday (6pm kick-off) and Pacos de Ferreira on Tuesday (8pm kick-off).
And Ameobi knows it is a crucial time to impress manager Alan Pardew and his coaching staff.
"It's a massive opportunity for us," the forward told nufc.co.uk.
"We need to put in good performances, not just in one friendly but every single time we are given the chance to play.
"Every time, we have to put the effort in, try and catch the eye and hopefully establish ourselves as part of the first team."
Thursday morning's training session in Braga saw the Magpies put through their paces for nearly three hours.
Ameobi concedes the squad have a tough week ahead of them but is also well aware of the long-term benefits.
"We want to come back raring to go and come back fit - I mean seriously fit," he explained.
"All the work we are going to do out here in this weather is going to really help us. It won't be easy but that's football and that's pre-season training.
"Sometimes it is nice to have a change of scenery too. When you are in the same environment day after day it does you good to get away and see something different.
"Hopefully it will benefit us in the long run."