The 26-year-old has been restricted to just eight appearances for the Magpies this season after falling behind Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins and Mark Viduka in the pecking order at St James' Park.

Ameobi, a former England Under-21 international, will formally link up with his new team-mates at the Britannia Stadium on Friday and could make his debut at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

Meanwhile striker Obafemi Martins hasreaffirmed his commitment and vowed to make his name on Gallowgate.

no problems

The 23-year-old Nigeria international, who finished his first season at the club as leading scorer with 17 goals, has been repeatedly linked with a move away from St James' Park after news of a get-out clause in his contract emerged.

However Martins denied those suggestions. He said: "I was shocked to hear I was leaving again. My adviser called me last Sunday when he saw the news - I never said such things. What people must understand is I love the fans at Newcastle, I want to continue here.

"Sometimes some fans say I am a legend to me, and I always say, 'No, no, Alan Shearer is a legend'.

"I am not a legend yet. There is hard work to do before people can rightfully say that. There are no problems for me at Newcastle. My family are here with me and I want to stay."