Roeder ready to hand out Newcastle number 9 shirt

Newcastle are set to sign Obafemi Martins from Inter today as the player landed in Tyne Side.

Also, Glenn Roeder is ready to hand the number 9 shirt to Martins if that's the shirt he wants. If however he doesn't want that shirt, Roeder is happy to give him another that is freely available. This comes as big news that Roeder thinks Martins can fill the boots of Alan Shearer and go on to be a Newcastle legend.

"I know how important it is for the fans to have a number nine, but what is more
important is to have a number nine who fills the shirt and can do the job" said Roeder.

"I was a player at the club and you look down over the years and there have been plenty of number nines who could not do the job. It's not the number that scores the goals.

"If he wants the shirt, I would be more than happy to let him take it if that is what he wants. I am sure he is a big enough man to carry it. If he has got a preference for another shirt that is available, he can have that one as well."