Source: Telegraph
Newcastle throw down gauntlet to Obafemi Martins
The Newcastle manager threw down the gauntlet to the Nigerian striker, who left him fuming when he pulled out of last weekend's crunch clash at Stoke with a groin problem just four hours before kick-off.[LNB]Shearer wants the former Inter Milan forward to overcome personal discomfort to spearhead the Premier League's fourth-bottom side's attack.[LNB] Related ArticlesShearer: No grudges with MartinsThat's entertainment'Shearer can save Newcastle'Martins row played downNewcastles Obafemi Martins clears the air with manager Alan Shearer after no showNewcastles Michael Owen backed to safeguard Alan Shearers rescue bidAsked about Martins' current predicament, Shearer said: "Where do you want me to start? We have a few different scenarios: One - an operation; Two - an injection; Three - rest; Four - play through the pain barrier.[LNB]"We know obviously what we want him to do. The favoured option is to try and play through the pain barrier and see where we get at the end of the season. It's just a case of how much pain that will cause him.[LNB]"It is a matter of wait and see. But an operation would rule him out for the season. Rest we'd lose him two or three weeks, the same for an injection.[LNB]There is something not right in there. But having had hernias myself, sometimes you can play through and no do any more damage.[LNB]"We are not 100 per cent certain whether he'll need an operation at the end of the season. The rest could make it better. The injections could too.[LNB]We will make a decision then." Martins is rated doubtful for Sunday's game at Tottenham but Shearer insisted there was no rift between the pair in the wake of the player's actions at Stoke.[LNB]"He knew I was disappointed with the timing of things but we have to keep everyone on side to see where we get to," Shearer said. "Oba never broke any rules or curfew. Everything is fine. as an ongoing thing, that's gone, forgotten about." [LNB]
