91Èȱ¬

Middlesbrough have signed Newcastle United winger Sammy Ameobi on loan until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old, who is the younger brother of Magpies striker Shola, has failed to find the net in his 14 appearances this season.

"He's an out-and-out wide player, who can operate on either side, and will be ideal when we want to play with two wingers,"

"He will hopefully give some players a lift and create some competition."

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew hinted at the weekend that he was open to a deal for the England Under-21 international as he had not featured since January's FA Cup defeat by Brighton.

After breaking into the first-team last season, Ameobi was rewarded with a contract until 2015.

He joins a Boro side seventh in the Championship, but only one point behind Brighton, who currently occupy the final play-off place.