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Sammy Will Work Through Summer
Written by Newcastle Utd
He admits that next season is huge for him, and dedicated Sammy Ameobi will work through the summer to ensure he's ready for it
By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor
Sammy Ameobi aims to hit the ground running next season - a campaign which he admits could make or break his Newcastle United career.
The England under-21 international is currently squeezing in a brief holiday in America but he will soon be back at the Magpies' Benton training ground to prepare for the new term well before many of his team-mates.
He turned 22 last month and impressed when given an opportunity by Alan Pardew at the start of 2014, only to suffer a knee injury which sidelined him until the final game of the season, when he appeared as a substitute at Liverpool.
"I didn't want to end the season without playing any football," he told nufc.co.uk. "To be honest with you, I didn't expect to be in the squad because I'd only trained for two days beforehand but I'm glad I got some minutes.
"I'd been out for so long and then after finally getting a game I just wanted the season to continue.
"But obviously it's over now and I've got to try and get my fitness back up after being injured, so I'll be working over the summer.
"I need to be fit for next season because at the end of the day that's all that matters.
"I can have all the holidays in the world but if I'm not right at the start of the season then it's not worth it at all, so I'm just looking forward to getting back.
"Next season's the big one for me - it's my opportunity.
"I've got one year left on my contract and I've got to prove I'm good enough to be a Newcastle player so I'm going to be working very hard over the summer to hopefully start fast next season."
Ameobi started four games in a row in January and February and added: "I have to get back to that place. I was fit and I was enjoying playing at that time.
"It was just a shame about the injury. Hopefully working over the summer will help to prevent injury and I'll be able to show what I can do.
"I'm not a kid anymore - I'm a grown man - so I fully expect that I'll be treated that way.
"I'm going to put in the effort and if I'm not good enough, I'll have to move on.
"But I believe I have the opportunity to play here so I aim to take it."
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