Martins scotches talk of criticism

Jan 8 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

OBAFEMI Martins has denied criticising Newcastle United’s medical staff following a suggestion from one of his advisors the club had failed to diagnose a hernia problem.

Criticism of Newcastle’s medical team is rare to say the least, with the likes of Craig Bellamy, Kieron Dyer, Shay Given, Michael Owen and Alan Shearer all going out of their way to praise the work done behind the scenes during their various injury problems.

Martins, who could be playing again in less than two weeks’ time after he has been operated on by renowned groin specialist Dr Ulrike Muschaweck, has moved quickly to distance himself from comments reported in Nigeria, which took a swipe at Newcastle’s injury record as well as their care for the striker.

He said: “I wish to make it perfectly clear that I have never criticised the medical team at Newcastle United, who all do an excellent job for the club. All I am concentrating on is getting fit again as soon as possible so I can be back playing and helping the team.”

Privately, United are furious at the comments made by Dapo Kujore – who is not Martins’ agent but is linked to the player’s management team – in which he attacked the medical staff for failing to diagnose the former Inter Milan’s hernia injury earlier.

Kujore said: “The Newcastle medical staff are woeful – Oba has been having this problem on and off and they failed to spot it. It was only when he went to Italy that the correct diagnosis was made, and he will have the operation this week. Look at the entire team. Viduka is injured, Alan Smith is injured, Nicky Butt is injured, and so many players. Even when Shearer was playing, how many times did he end up on the treatment table?”

Such an attack was both unwarranted and unhelpful and Martins has also been angered by the implication he was unhappy at the treatment has received at Newcastle during his recent spell on the sidelines.

Thankfully the matter should be resolved within a matter of days rather than weeks, with Martins due to fly to Germany on Monday for surgery.

When Shearer had a hernia operation by Dr Muschaweck in 2005, the German’s revolutionary new techniques meant the former skipper was playing again in under a fortnight.

Martins, who picked up the injury playing against Portsmouth before Christmas, is expected to make a similarly-speedy recovery, dismissing earlier reports that the Nigerian international would be ruled out for up to six weeks following his operation.

Meanwhile, Newcastle midfielder Geremi has admitted he is looking to leave the club this month in search of first-team football.

The 30-year-old Cameroon international, signed on a free transfer by former manager Sam Allardyce, has been used mainly as a substitute by Kinnear and is thought to be one of the players Newcastle are willing to sell to raise funds.

Besiktas are rumoured to be prepared to pay £1m to take him to Turkey, but Kinnear insisted yesterday there have been no bids for his players this month.

Geremi said: “I want to be involved on the football field. I am nearing the end of my career and I don’t want to sit on the bench.”