The striker will, instead, remain in the north east and continue with the Magpies' Premier League campaign.

Ameobi had been called into Stephen Keshi's preliminary squad ahead of the tournament which kicks off on January 19, but Pardew confirmed to reporters that he would be withdrawn from the full set-up, though he refused to divulge the exact reasons behind the decision.

"Shola won't be going,' he said.

"The national team manager knows the reasons, which I am keeping to myself."

Though born in Nigeria, Ameobi moved to England with his family at the age of five, and despite turning out for the England Under 21s 20 times, the 31-year-old recently made his debut for the Super Eagles in a 3-1 friendly win over Venezuela in November.

The striker, who has spent his entire career with Newcastle, scored the decisive goal on Saturday as Newcastle beat QPR 1-0 at St James' Park to arrest a run of form that saw just one victory in the previous 11 games in all competitions.