Shola Ameobi walked off the pitch clutching his right wrist in the second-half of Newcastle’s 1-3 loss to Rio Ave in Portugal on Saturday.
Ameobi, who scored a 76th minute consolation goal for the Magpies, tumbled awkwardly in a challenge with an opponent with time running out. The veteran striker was taken to hospital for an X-ray with what looked like a nasty arm injury.
Worried Newcastle boss, Alan Pardew, who has been left with few options upfront following the refusal of Papiss Cisse to wear Wonga shirt and his exemption from the journey to Portugal, told Newcastle’s official website that: “Shola is the big worry.”
Newcastle awaits the result of his X-ray, nevertheless, the development could affect the strikers’ preparation for the high-profile international friendly against South Africa in Durban on August 14.
Egyptian striker Hassan Mahgoub scored twice in the opening ten minutes of the pre-season encounter, midfielder, Braga, added to the misery as the Portuguese side raced into a three goal lead before half-time. Ameobi narrowed the deficit for Newcastle 15 minutes from the end.
After the game, Pardew said: “The most worrying thing about the game is that it looks like Shola has hurt his arm and is now off for an X-ray. Right now, I don’t know how bad he is.”
The 31-year-old has featured only once for the Super Eagles, he couldn’t play at the last African Cup of Nation because of a clause that prevented him from international duties. He was shortlisted by coach Stephen Keshi in his 20-man squad for the August annual Nelson Mandela Challenge after the expiration of the clause.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Emenike scored Spartak Moscow’s second goal on the stroke of full-time in the Red-Whites’ 2-0 win over Ural SR on Sunday.
Emenike, who just returned from a long injury layoff, came on as a 63rd minute substitute for Yuri Movsisyan.
The 25-year-old striker is also part of the squad for the August friendly.