Toon think it's all Oba

By Gary Ward

OBAFEMI MARTINS will rock Newcastle with a transfer demand this summer — if things do not improve for him.

The Nigerian has had talks over a new £90,000-a-week contract but will not sign anything until he knows where he stands under boss Kevin Keegan.

Martins, 23, is fed up playing second fiddle to Michael Owen.

And with the Toon struggling at the wrong end of the Premier League, the striker is holding out until May.

Martins has endured a difficult second season at Newcastle.

He scored 17 goals in his first campaign but has spent much of this one on the bench, while Owen has often taken his place in the team.

Martins did start at Birmingham on Monday but the £10million man was reduced to tears when he was substituted despite starring in a 1-1 draw.

He said: "I am not the kind of player that will stay at the club without playing because I want to play.

"I really, really want to play. I really, really want to help the team by scoring goals so, if I am not playing, it's a little bit difficult for me."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is a long-term admirer, while Martins would also be open to a return to Inter Milan.

McFadden's on fire sale

JAMES McFADDEN looks certain to go if struggling Birmingham are relegated.

Chairman David Gold has admitted there will be a fire sale if City do not stay up.

And Scottish international striker McFadden, who arrived from Everton for £5million only in January, will generate the most cash.

Blues sold 15 players when they were last relegated in 2006, raising around £18m and slashing millions off the wage bill.

This time Brum boss Alex McLeish will have to sell big earners like McFadden and fellow striker Mikael Forssell.

Gold said: "You have to cut costs and we have plans to do that. The big-ticket items have to go. It worked well the last time."

Forssell whose current deal ends this summer, faces an uncertain future.

And McLeish said: "It's difficult talking about contracts when you don't know where you are going to be. We'll wait and see."

BRUM AND GET FAD

JAMES McFADDEN will top the list of players sold off by Birmingham City if they are relegated.

Chairman David Gold has admitted there are already plans in place for a fire sale of talent if City can’t survive the drop.

And that will alert both sides of the Old Firm.

McFadden, who switched to St Andrew’s from Everton for £5million in January, will generate the most cash with a move — just four months after he arrived. City sold Emile Heskey and Jermaine Pennant in a mass clear-out that stripped the squad of 15 players when they were last relegated in 2006.

That brought in around £18m and slashed millions more off the wage bill.

This time around boss Alex McLeish will come under pressure to do the same, offloading big earners like McFadden, Mikael Forssell, Franck Queudrue, Sebastian Larsson and Olivier Kapo.

Gold said: “The last time we were relegated we had to sell off some quality players — and we will do the same this time.

“You have to cut costs and we have plans to do that.

“By selling a couple of quality players you generate the finance to bring in the kind of players who will get you out of the Championship.

“It was a system that worked well the last time we were relegated and I am sure it would again.”

KENNY GOES THROUGH MIL

KENNY MILNE has confessed his future with Falkirk is uncertain as the club continue to stall on a new contract.

With only two months left on his current deal, the 28-year-old defender, below, admitted he has started looking around.

Former Partick Thistle star Milne said: “Nothing has happened so far. I spoke to the gaffer two or three weeks ago. If my future lies elsewhere then so be it.

“There’s not long until my contract is up and at the end of the day you’ve got to look after yourself.”

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Liverpool 1 Man City 0
Arsenal 1 Everton 0
Aston Villa 0 Wigan 2
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Fulham 2 Birmingham 0
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