Newcastle United's medical team have been branded as "woeful" by the agent of striker Obafemi Martins.
Martins is facing a hernia operation and his agent, Dapo Kujore, told the Northern Echo: "The Newcastle medical staff are woeful.
"Oba has been having this problem on and off and they failed to spot it.
"It was only when he went to Italy that the correct diagnosis was made, and he will have the operation this week.
"Look at the entire team.
(Mark) Viduka is injured, Alan Smith is injured, Nicky Butt is injured, and so many players. Even when (Alan) Shearer was playing, how many times did he end up on the treatment table?"