Source: Eurosport
Martins: I pulled out for sake of team
Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins claims he only pulled out of Saturday's game at Stoke because he did not want to let his side down.Martins played no part in the 1-1 draw after waking up on the morning of the game with groin trouble, and Alan Shearer was unhappy at having to change his plans just hours before kick-off.There have been suggestions the incident created a rift between the pair but Martins will not face punishment.The Nigerian realises why Shearer was upset but insists he could do little to help the situation and made the right decision to pull out.Martins, who was last week described as a key player by Shearer, is looking forward to playing a major role in Newcastle's battle against relegation."I understand why the manager was frustrated because he had to change his plans," he said in The Guardian."But I woke up in so much pain that I knew I could not give 100 per cent, so I decided I couldn't play."I didn't want to let the team down. And, with so many important games coming up, I needed to think about staying fit for the future."[LNB]
