IN SHOLA WE TRUST

Well, so much for seeing what Leon Best could do as Newcastle United's top striker in the final two months of the season.

Word emerged this week that Best's ankle injury could force him to miss the rest of the season. Based on how things have gone on the injury front for United this season, it's probably best to assume he won't be back on the field in Newcastle's remaining eight league games.

Even if Best is able to return, he'll likely need some time to rediscover his match sharpness — which means Shola Ameobi appears to be United's top option up front moving forward.

Fans will be clamoring to see more of young Nile Ranger, but he has yet to score in the league this season. Peter Lovenkrands has chipped in with three Premier League goals, but has looked nonexistent on too many occasions. Then there's Shefki Kuqi, whom Newcastle picked up off football's scrap heap.

Based off those options, it looks like Ameobi will need to play a significant role in helping haul United away from the bottom end of the table. The big Nigerian-born-but-Geordie-raised striker has seven goals in all competitions this season, but he's clearly been hampered by the protective face mask he's been forced to wear since suffering a broken cheekbone at Fulham on Feb. 2. His last goal came in the 1-0 win at Wigan on Jan. 2.

Ameobi can be a lightning rod for criticism among certain Newcastle fans. His goalscoring record has never been able to match his raw talent — he may look awkward and slow at times, but how many big strikers can match him for skill? — and he's incredibly injury-prone. On his day, though, he can be a handful for opposition defenses.

United need Ameobi to have at least a couple of those days during the next two months.