Obafemi Martins could be fit to take on Hammers

Jan 7 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

NEWCASTLE United have been handed a timely boost with the news that Obafemi Martins’ injury is not as bad as first feared – and there is even a slim chance that he may play a part in the crucial relegation battle with West Ham.

Reports this week claimed that Martins would be sidelined for six weeks with a groin injury and while it is still possible that the Nigerian will have to have an operation, even that worst-case scenario will only rule him out for a fortnight.

Martins will train with his team-mates tomorrow in a bid to assess the extent of his injury and if he proves his fitness he will be considered for a place on the bench against the Hammers.

Sources close to the player have revealed that he has been booked in for a hernia operation later in the week if, as expected, he is not ready for a return. Club medical staff have been told that he could recover from that operation within two weeks.

Barring any further setbacks it is better news for United boss Joe Kinnear, who will also be boosted by the return of Joey Barton and Alan Smith to training next week. The pair have been pencilled in to return to first-team duty before the end of the month.

Kinnear also hopes to have Shola Ameobi available for the potentially pivotal game against Gianfranco Zola’s Hammers.

“We have missed Oba Martins’ firepower. He offers us that extra bit of pace and I would love to have him back for the West Ham game,” said Kinnear. “We’ll try to have him back but I’m not sure how likely that is. We’ll take a look at him on Thursday and see how he is but we won’t risk him if he’s not fit.

“Smithy and Joey Barton will be back in training next week and they could be back in two to three weeks, which would be another boost for us. Smithy is out jogging now but he’s getting a bit closer now.

“I really don’t want to use it as an excuse but it goes without saying that we’ve missed some of the players who haven’t been available and the sooner they are back and available, the better.”

While news on Martins and Barton is better than expected, Habib Beye remains a long way from returning to action.

The French defender is understood to have travelled to France this week to have more scans on the knee injury that could see him ruled out until March.

In the meantime, the club continue their bid to strengthen a slim squad.

Rangers’ midfielder Pedro Mendes is the latest name to be linked with a switch to St James’s Park and The Journal understands

United are interested in Almeria defender Jose Manuel Flores Moreno.

The 21-year-old centre-back, nicknamed ‘Chico’, has played 10 times in La Liga this year.

But Kinnear is insistent that Shay Given will not be leaving St James’s Park. Despite speculation that Manchester City are on the verge of making a bid for the Ireland goalkeeper, the Newcastle boss is adamant that the club have received no bids for their star asset.

“There has not even been an enquiry for Shay,” he said.

Meanwhile, the club have slashed prices for the FA Cup replay with Hull City.

Juniors will get in for £5 while adult tickets have been reduced to £20 for most parts of the ground for the game on January 14 at 7.45pm. Season ticket holders have until the end of today to secure their seats, either by calling in person at the Box Office (open 8am-6pm each day) or online by logging on to www.nufc.co.uk and entering the ticket section of the club's official website. A general sale will then commence from Thursday morning.