Sammy Ameobi has joined Championship promotion-chasers Middlesbrough on loan

By Dan King - Newcastle United Club Reporter

England under-21 starlet Sammy Ameobi has joined North-East neighbours Middlesbrough on loan until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old wideman has linked up with the Championship promotion-chasers up to and including their final league game of the season, away to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, 4th May, and there is an option to extend the loan should Boro make the play-offs.

He was at the Teessiders' Rockliffe Hall training ground in Darlington on Monday morning to complete the deal, which Newcastle hope will give him regular first-team football.

Ameobi has made 14 appearances in all competitions so far this season, eight of them from the bench, but has been edged out of the first-team squad in recent weeks.

He has already played in the FA Cup for the Magpies this term, meaning he is cup-tied for Wednesday's cup clash with Chelsea, but could make his Boro bow at home to league leaders Cardiff on Saturday.