Martins was thought to be a doubt for pre-season after missing Nigeria's game against Austria earlier this month.

The striker's agent, and his national team boss, both claimed that Martins had missed the game because of an ankle injury.

Nigeria manager Shaibu Amodu said: "Obafemi said he had a scan on his ankle, and the doctors said he'd be out for eight weeks."

And the player's agent Chris Nathaniel added: "He actually had ankle injuries which he managed to play the last matches of his club season with the aid of pain killers.

In the Forum...
> > Where will Newcastle and Sunderland finish next season?
> > Forget Crouch-imitation - buy the real thing
> > Who was the worst Newcastle/Sunderland player ever?
> > Got a transfer rumour?
> > Sack Joey Barton

"In order not to aggravate the injuries, he had to see a doctor on time and right now he is in Italy for a check-up to determine the extent of the ankle injuries."

But a St James's Park source insists that the problem has been blown out of proportion, and that the little Nigerian will join up with the rest of the squad when they report for pre-season work on July 7.

Meanwhile, it was also revealed that Viduka "has a chance" of joining Martins on the pitch for the first game of the campaign.

Viduka sat out Newcastle's last game of the season at Everton after struggling with an Achilles injury. He had an injection into the problem area and United are hoping that this will do the trick.

The Aussie striker will report back to the specialist early next month but the odds are that he will miss most of United's pre-season work.

But while it is touch and go United feel that Viduka has some chance of being fit for the start of the season.

The fitness news should lift boss Kevin Keegan's spirits, and make the need to find a new striker this summer not so much of a necessity.