Birmingham vs Newcastle - Martins hoping to extend Blues stay

Posted Tuesday, February 15, 2011 by PA

Obafemi Martins has set his sights on sealing a permanent move to Birmingham as he prepares to face his former club Newcastle in the home Barclays Premier League clash.

Martins is on loan from Russian side Rubin Kazan for the remainder of the season, but the Nigeria international is keen to make a good impression and move on a full-time basis to St. Andrew's.

Martins, who made his debut against Stoke on Saturday, said: "Would I like a permanent move? Yes, why not. Birmingham is a big club and the team is doing well.

"If everything goes well then, of course, I'm going to stay.

"I was keen to play Premier League football again. It is one of the best leagues in the world.

"It doesn't matter to me that Birmingham aren't the biggest team in this division.

"They're not the smallest team either. I wanted to come here and play for them. This is a great opportunity.

"I just want to fit in as soon as possible, start scoring goals and be happy here."

Martins also knows he has made many people happy in his homeland by returning to the English top flight.

He said: "The Nigerian fans will be very happy to see me playing in the Premier League.

"There are 150 million people and many of them watch Premier League football on TV.

"When I was playing in Russia, people kept telling me I had to go back to the Premier League so they could watch me more often!"

Martins scored 28 goals in 88 league games for Newcastle between 2006 and 2009, when he was a team-mate of current City captain Stephen Carr, and still has a lot of affection for the club.

But all his thoughts are on earning Birmingham the win which will lift them into the top half of the table.

He said: "I have good memories from my time at Newcastle and they're good supporters.

"I don't play for Newcastle anymore and it will be strange to line up against them but that's life.

"You never know what is around the corner in football.

"It will be nice to see some of the players again but I'm a Birmingham player now and I'll be giving it all for my new team."

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has no fresh injury worries as his side search for a third successive league win.

Meanwhile, Alan Pardew is backing full-back Jose Enrique to play himself into the all-conquering Spain squad if he continues to excel for Newcastle.

The 25-year-old turned in the latest in a series of fine individual displays for the Magpies at Blackburn on Saturday, combining rugged defence with genuine enterprise.

Enrique will head for Birmingham with his reputation growing by the week, and while Pardew knows the strength of squad the reigning World and European champions can boast means he faces a fight to gain recognition at senior international level, he believes he can force his way into consideration.

Pardew said: "Possibly that would be a fitting tribute for him, to get into that squad.

"It's a tough squad and an outstanding team, but he is showing the sort of form that could get him into that squad, no problem.

"There aren't too many who can hold a candle to him at the moment, the form he is in.

"If you were the opposition, you would have to start worrying about him defensively because he keeps coming at you.

"Let alone the other assets we have in the team offensively, you have to look after our left-back because he will raid and raid all day. He has been terrific for us."

Andy Carroll's departure, coupled with Shola Ameobi's fractured cheekbone - he will fly to America on Thursday to be fitted for a protective mask - have left Pardew with limited attacking options, but he is confident there are still goals in his team.

He said: "The side is in good spirits, a strong team. We have a midfield that could grace and side in the Premier League, I feel, and they create enough chances for us to score goals, so I think we will be okay."