There may be a large part of a third of the campaign remaining, but Bolton Wanderers are on course to extend their stay in the Championship into a second consecutive season.

Manager Phil Parkinson has performed remarkably in keeping his side above water, with the Trotters looking destined to suffer an instant return to League One earlier in the season.

Astute management has been complemented by the performances of the players on the field, with forward Sammy Ameobi particularly impressing at the Macron Stadium over the course of the past six months.

Here is what we have learned about the player so far…

Ameobi has the ability to pull a rabbit out of the hat, with the winger capable of the unexpected from the wide position.

Whether cutting inside and unleashing a thunderbolt, or outpacing defenders to stand a cross into the box, full backs in the Championship have suffered nightmares following their encounters with Ameobi, and giving the former Newcastle man just a yard of space can spell disaster.

The 25-year-old has the capacity to get the fans off their seats, making him an extremely popular figure with Trotters fans.

Ameobi is hovering around a total of five goals and assists combined this season from over twenty league starts, which is not the most prolific of records at any level of the game.

However despite failing to register the stats that make the headlines, fans can be assured that they will be guaranteed a solid all-round performance from the tricky winger.

Consistently one of the best players on the field, whether it it going forward or his contribution defensively, Ameobi is a willing runner with the lungs to surge up and down the sideline, enforcing his value within Parkinson’s squad.

Ameobi works best when cutting in from the wing, but with his crossing ability not the strongest element of his game, could the player forge a new career as a centre forward in the future?

Standing tall at six-foot-four, Ameobi is unsurprisingly very good in the air, and his movement in and around the box suggests he carries the traits required to be a solid second tier striker.

With Gary Madine moving to Cardiff City in January, the striking position is certainly up for grabs, and Ameobi possesses a strong case of making the position his own if he wants it.

Standing crosses up for the 25-year-old to attack, opposition central defenders would struggle to deal with the eager forward in the air and on the ground, where his feet have been known to bamboozle even the most experienced of heads.

His brother Shola forged a successful career in the position, could he do the same?

Bolton fans, thoughts on Ameobi?