Source: SKY_Sports
Shearer rues Martins injury
Alan Shearer has expressed his disappointment at the injury which caused Obafemi Martins' late withdrawal from the Newcastle United team to face Stoke City.
Martins was expected to partner Michael Owen up front at the Britannia Stadium, but pulled out on Saturday morning with a groin problem.
The Nigerian striker had appeared to be showing no fitness troubles during the week and Shearer was unhappy to be without Martins.
Substitute Andy Carroll rescued a 1-1 draw for the Magpies, but manager Shearer feels the relegation candidates could have taken all three points if Martins had been available.
"Possibly we could have won the game if Martins had been fit," said Shearer.
"I was disappointed it took until 11 o'clock to sort out the injury in the first place.
"There was no evidence earlier in the week that he had the injury. It was disappointing that after two days of practising a system, we weren't able to implement it.
"He just said he woke up late and had a sore groin, the medical staff saw him and he wasn't fit to play. We've asked him to explain it, and we'll look at him further in the morning."
