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Shola Ameobi has warned Toon chiefs they are “hurting” Newcastle United for failing to invest in “quality players”.

The long-serving striker – who will see his current contract end this season – has indicated that those behind the scenes at St James’ Park saw United’s decline coming.

Newcastle have not spent a penny on permanent players in the last two transfer windows, and banked the reported £20million fee for Yohan Cabaye in January rather than plough the money back into the team.

In a candid radio interview Ameobi also defended Alan Pardew and says he has had little choice but to “put up” with working with a substandard transfer kitty.

Ameobi said: “We have limited resources at the moment and when we lose one or two key players it hurts the team badly.

“That is what the manager has had to put up with, unfortunately.”

And Ameobi, 32, urged the Magpies to ensure they get it right for the Toon Army in future.

He said: “That is something the club have to put right for next season.

“We need quality players and we need a quality squad as well.

“This has all been brought out to a lot of people but we, as players, knew that.

“I think the fans are getting to see that now.’”

Ameobi also confirmed that there have been tensions behind the scenes in recent times.

The Chronicle reported that after the 4-0 defeat against Manchester United and the 1-0 loss at Stoke City, Hatem Ben Arfa was involved in a verbal exchange with Pardew.

And it also emerged that Fabricio Coloccini made his feelings clear with Newcastle’s season in freefall after five straight defeats in the Premier League.

Ameobi said to BBC Radio Newcastle: “It’s been a tough month and a half for us.

“There have been a few frictions in there, which you get in every dressing room. But we’re all trying to pull in the same direction, players and staff.”

Ameobi accepted the boos after the 2-1 loss to Swansea City.

But feels that there can be no excuses for a gutless performance at Arsenal next Monday night.

He said: “The fans showed their frustration at the end of the game and that’s fair enough, because it’s not good enough on our part.

“But I don’t care what anyone says, you want to win the game. It’s disappointing that we’re not finishing the season in the right way.

“It’s down to us as players – (the manager) puts a team out which he thinks is capable of winning games.

“It’s us, as players, who let him down.”