Joe Kinnear says Shola Ameobi can re-launch his career at St James' Park after the Newcastle United forward scored his first Premier League goal for two years in the 2-2 draw with Manchester City.

The interim Newcastle manager was forced to use Ameobi as a lone striker for much of the match after Habib Beye's controversial dismissal for a foul on Robinho. However, Kinnear has praised Ameobi's contribution and says the forward has the ability to rebuild his career.

"It's going to give him massive confidence," Kinnear said. "It's a long time since he has actually stuck one away.

"But I believe he has got all the ability to make himself a decent striker. He has got power, pace, strength. He has possibly not been punching his weight in the past, I don't know really.

"I can only go on what I see, and he has been exceptionally good for me in training. He has sent out all the right messages. He is a hungry fighter."

Kinnear was immensely proud of his players ahead of Saturday's derby trip to Sunderland. "It is nice to go in having two games behind us undefeated," he said. "They are never easy, derbies. It is going to be another big question, another tight game, another tough match.

"But the dressing room is on fire at the moment. Everyone is delighted with one another, has the utmost respect for one another, everybody is working for one another.

"We have got a lot of things going for us at the moment, and who's to say we might not have two or three more players back in the frame for that match, which would make us that little bit stronger."