Martins matters to Magpies

Newcastle coach Iain Dowie insists Obafemi Martins is an integral part of the team as they battle against relegation from the Barclays Premier League.

Martins was a late withdrawal from the Magpies squad that secured a 1-1 draw against Stoke on Saturday and manager Alan Shearer expressed his disappointment the striker had only pulled out at 11am on the morning of the game with a groin injury.