Newcastle United Football Club News

• Nickname:Magpies
• Founded:1881
• Manager:Alan Pardew

• Ground:St James' Park
• Capacity:52,193

Kinnear hopes for Oba boost

17 Oct 2008 - 09:12:48

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Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear is poised to turn to Obafemi Martins after losing Michael Owen to injury.

Owen will miss up to ten days with a groin injury picked up in training this week.

The England striker has been ruled out of Monday's Premier League meeting with Manchester City and is a doubt for the following weekend's derby meeting with Sunderland, so Kinnear is poised to recall Martins from his own injury lay-off.

The Nigeria international has himself been out of action since reporting a knee problem following the Magpies' 2-1 Carling Cup defeat at Spurs on September 24.

"Oba's an option (to face Manchester City) and we've stepped up his training," revealed Kinnear.

"We were planning to keep him back, but because this has happened he is in the first-team squad, he did well on Wednesday and exceptionally well on Thursday as well.

"He hasn't needed any other further treatment on his knee so that's a good sign.

"He is in my mind to be involved in the match against Man City.

"We're hoping that all of the hard work we have put in, we will get a few players back. That's what we have been working hard on."