Newcastle coach Dowie: There was no bust-up between Shearer and Martins

Newcastle coach Iain Dowie has denied claims of a bust-up with striker Obafemi Martins following his late withdrawal from the side which drew at Stoke on Saturday. The Nigeria international pulled out of the game at the Britannia Stadium with a groin strain, just six hours before Alan Shearer was due to take charge of his second match as Newcastle boss. The stand-in Newcastle manager has since held showdown talks with Martins, who has been troubled by a number of injuries throughout the season and has scored just seven goals for the troubled Tyneside team. Former QPR and Crystal Palace manager Dowie, who was appointed number two by Shearer two weeks ago, said Martins still has a massive role to play in Newcastle's fight for survival, which moves to Tottenham this weekend.

Source: Daily_Mail