Newcastle United Football Club News

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

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

Oba: We're fighting for Joe

26 Feb 2009 - 10:59:13

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Newcastle United striker Obafemi Martins claims everybody at the club is fighting for absent manager Joe Kinnear.

Kinnear underwent triple heart bypass surgery last week and is not expected back at St James' Park until April at the earliest.

But Martins insists the veteran manager remains at the forefront of the minds of the players as they look to secure their Premier League status.

"The lads talk about Joe all the time and everyone is looking forward to his return," he told The Sun.

"We need to go all out, fight and grind out some good results for him.

"I am sure there is nothing he wants so badly than a perfect gift on his return from hospital.

"He's a good man and someone who is passionate about the club, so he deserves our best wishes.

"The lads have been fantastic and battling really hard while the rest of us recover from injury.

"But I think having me, Mark Viduka and Alan Smith back is a big plus for the club as we fight to fix a season that has not gone quite as planned."