by Amanda Little

Last updated at 12:01, Wednesday, 19 October 2011

James Tavernier says he and best mate Sammy Ameobi are developing a head for heights.

James Tavernier

The Newcastle United pair are two of the hottest properties in the Premier League.

While Tavernier is helping to shoot Carlisle United up the League One table, his pal is pushing for a start in the Newcastle side which is challenging for a place in the Champions League.

Ameobi, the younger brother of Magpies striker Shola Ameobi, decided to stay and fight for his place at Newcastle, while Tavernier hopes to boost his first-team chances by playing a starring role on loan at Carlisle.

The pair, both 19 and products of the Geordies’ youth system, were together at St James’ Park on Sunday when Tavernier went to watch Newcastle’s 2-2 draw with Spurs – 24 hours after his impressive performance in Carlisle’s 3-0 win at Yeovil.

And the Blues loan star hopes both teams can maintain the momentum which has taken them into the upper echelons of their respective divisions.

Tavernier, who has made two first-team appearances for the Magpies, said: “Newcastle played really well against Spurs and are flying at the moment. It’s great for me seeing both Newcastle and Carlisle going really well.

“I went to watch Newcastle on Sunday but I’ve been hearing from Sammy how well they have been doing in games.

“He is getting near the first team, which is great for him, and I’m enjoying my time at Carlisle.

“We want the best for each other and for both of us to play at the highest possible level, so we push each other on.

“I want to get Carlisle up the table and help them as much as I can. They have been up and down this season, but they’re up at the minute and the more points we can get, the better their chance of being in the play-offs and maybe getting promotion.”

Signed as cover for injured right-back Frank Simek, his loan deal doesn’t expire until the middle of next month when the vice-captain is due to return from hip and calf injuries.

Tavernier is relishing the opportunity to play in back-to-back big games, with the Blues set to face League One leaders Charlton Athletic on Saturday, before their home clash with third-placed Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night.

Facing League One big guns like Charlton and Sheffield Wednesday are precisely the sort of pressure games which will help propel his career to the next level. The 6ft 1in defender made his Toon debut in a Carling Cup game against Peterborough in September 2009 and impressed on Newcastle’s pre-season tour of America but manager Alan Pardew wants him to continue his development with Carlisle.

Tavernier said: “On our day, we can beat anyone so we have nothing to fear going to Charlton.

“If we’re confident and prepare right as we always do, there is no doubt we can beat Charlton.

“This is a really big game for us as they are top of the league and up until Saturday they were flying. There will be a really good crowd there so it should be a good game.

“I want to play in big games against the likes of Charlton and Sheffield Wednesday. Charlton get nearly 20,000 fans and that will be the first time I’ve played in front of a crowd like that in League One so I’m really excited. I love playing in games with good crowds.”

The impressive win over Yeovil stretched their unbeaten run to four games and lifted Carlisle to within just one point of a play-off place.

Like their League One position, their attacking right-back believes confidence is also visibly on the climb.

So much so, he says Carlisle will go for the jugular at Charlton on Saturday.

The Addicks will be roared on by nearly 20,000 fans but Tavernier believes an early goal will silence the home support and see Chris Powell’s side crack under pressure.

Carlisle trail Charlton by seven points and Tavernier wants the Blues to hit them while they are vulnerable after their bloody nose at the hands of Stevenage.

He said: “That defeat shows they are not invincible. We need to get in their faces so the crowd gets on their case.

“If we can create some early chances and quieten the crowd, it might just unsettle them.

“We have gone four games unbeaten now and hopefully we can get a win at the weekend and show out fans we’ve got a fighting chance of getting promotion.

“We played really well at Yeovil and we were really pleased to keep a clean sheet. They went a man down but we were going well even when they had 11 men on the pitch. It was our day.”

First published at 11:27, Wednesday, 19 October 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk