NEWCASTLE, March 30 – Newcastle are on the verge of securing an immediate return to the Premier League after a 2-0 win over promotion rivals Nottingham Forest on Monday.

Shola Ameobi returned from injury to fire Newcastle into the lead, midway through the second half, and Jose Enrique’s first goal for the club, in injury time, sealed a win that makes automatic promotion a virtual formality for the Magpies.

If Newcastle win at Peterborough on Saturday, they will be promoted if third-placed Forest lose at Bristol City.

Ameobi, who came on for the injured Andy Carroll, was making his first appearance in seven weeks and he showed what Newcastle have been missing when he received Kevin Nolan’s pass with his back to goal with 19 minutes left.

The big striker turned and fired a low left-foot shot in off the far post to break the deadlock.

Newcastle had further chances to kill off the match but it was not until injury time that Enrique sealed the win.