Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi will take a leaf out of Michael Owen's book as he sets his sight on a return to action before the end of the season.

The 25-year-old finally had to admit defeat in his efforts to play through the pain barrier when he was sent to America for career-saving surgery on his long-standing hip problem earlier this season.

Like Owen, who ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament on World Cup finals duty with England in June, Ameobi's campaign was effectively ended by the injury.

However, both men have consistently voiced their intentions to play again before the season is over and, while that aim remains alive, neither is setting a comeback date.

Ameobi said: "It has gone a lot better than I first anticipated, which is great for me.

"What I have to do now is get fit and get all the muscles firing and strong.

"That is the stage I am at now and hopefully, in not too long a time, I will be back training.

"I have been working with the ball for the past couple of weeks, which is a nice change for me.

"When you are so close, you are just itching to get back. But you do not want to rush things, as that could set you back.

"You have just got to make sure everything is right before you step up.

"There's not really a time put on it. It depends who quickly I get past each step.

"But, hopefully, I will get a couple of games in this season. That is the target I have set myself, but I do not want to set a date in case something goes wrong.

"You have to set yourself targets. When they told me I needed the operation, the first thing I said was 'can I play again this season?'.

"You have to give yourself that incentive to keep working hard. It is tough at times being on the sidelines, and I think it helps you to keep your focus.

"You need to be focused if you are going to work hard, and I have been delighted with how my rehab has gone."

Ameobi had struggled with his injury for more than a year but, with skipper Alan Shearer retiring and Owen sidelined, he battled on until hitting a brick wall in a 0-0 draw at Manchester City on November 11.

He was eventually sent to specialist Marc Philippon at the Colorado clinic of renowned knee expert Dr Richard Steadman, and has been working his way back ever since.

Manager Glenn Roeder freely admits he cannot wait until has to decide which of Owen, Ameobi and £10million signing Obafemi Martins to pick up front, and former England Under-21 international Ameobi is also relishing the prospect returning.

Ameobi said: "It is disappointing not being out there with the lads, helping them.

"The injury could not have come at a worse time for me. I felt I was playing a lot better, but this is a learning curve for me as well.

"You are a lucky player if you go through your career without a long lay-off. I think I will come back a better player from this.

"It is frustrating watching from the sidelines and I have seen how frustrated the fans must feel. I definitely feel it has helped me.

"But, on the other hand, hopefully this is me fit now, and that has not been the case for a few years.

"Hopefully, when I come back, I can look forward to playing pain-free and I can be a big asset to the club."