Sammy Ameobi admits Newcastle United's youngsters didn't expect to see so much action so soon.

Toon boss Alan Pardew has been forced to chuck in the likes of the younger Ameobi brother, 21-year-old Shane Ferguson and Gael Bigirimana, 19, to cope with a nightmare injury pile-up.

Ameobi said: "It's been great to get my chance to play but I can't lie - it feels slightly different to a few weeks ago.

"Back then I was getting my chance and everyone was on a high. I was playing well but we've hit a wall - we're not new kids on the block any more.

"We could make mistakes and no one came down on us. But now we're starting to learn that we have to affect games."