Martins confirms commitment to Newcastle

Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins has denied that his days on Tyneside could be numbered.

The 23-year-old Nigeria international, who finished his first season at the club as leading scorer with 17 goals, has been repeatedly linked with a move away from St James’ Park after news of a get-out clause in his contract emerged.

However, on a day when the Magpies were linked with a summer move for former Arsenal frontman Jose Antonia Reyes, Martins reaffirmed his commitment and vowed to make his name on Gallowgate.

He said: “I was shocked to hear I was leaving again. My adviser called me last Sunday when he saw the news – I never said such things.

“What people must understand is I love the fans at Newcastle, I want to continue here.

“Sometimes some fans say I am a legend to me, and I always say, ’No, no, Alan Shearer is a legend’.

“I am not a legend yet. There is hard work to do before people can rightfully say that.

“There are no problems for me at Newcastle. My family are here with me and I want to stay.”

Manager Kevin Keegan has spoken of his excitement at working with Martins in recent weeks following his return to fitness from an ankle problem he suffered at the African Nations Cup, and the pair have brushed aside the striker’s angry reaction to being substituted at Birmingham last week.

Martins has been used in a three-pronged attack along with Michael Owen and Mark Viduka in the last two games, although it remains to be seen whether Keegan dare adopt such an attacking formation for Sunday’s trip to Tottenham.

Martins scored arguably the best goal of his career in England in last season’s 3-2 win at White Hart Lane with a long-range thunderbolt.

However, his side head for North London this weekend still needing points to secure their Barclays Premier League status and knowing in-form Spurs will provide much sterner test than Fulham did on Saturday as Keegan finally tasted victory at the 10th attempt.

The game will provide coach Chris Hughton with a swift return to the club he served with such distinction as both a player and on the coaching staff, although he will have no mixed emotions should his new employers get the better of his old ones.

Hughton said: “I have been asked if it will be eerie for me going to the Lane on Sunday, and while I don’t think that will be the case, it will be certainly strange, although I have to add that I am not the most emotional of people.

“Obviously I will be meeting a lot of people I know – including the Spurs players – for the first time since I left.

“But it will only be a good day for me if Newcastle United can get some kind of result.”

Hughton was on the bench alongside former Spurs boss Martin Jol as Newcastle completed a double over the Londoners last season, but knows that will be a tougher proposition this time around.

He said: “Spurs now have a very good side and they are very difficult to beat on their own ground.

“If you allow them to get their passing movement going, they will hurt you, especially with strikers of the quality of Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane.”

Meanwhile, reports from Spain have suggested that Newcastle are leading the race to sign 24-year-old Atletico Madrid striker Reyes.

Vice-president (player recruitment) Tony Jimenez is understood to have identified the Spain international as a potential target, although Liverpool and Manchester City are also said to be monitoring his situation.