Newcastle United striker Obafemi Martins is facing a race against time to be fit in time for the new season, it has emerged.

Martins was due to report for international duty with Nigeria last week but failed to arrive, citing an ankle injury as the reason for his non-appearance.

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

The injury looks likely to rule Martins out of most of Newcastle's pre-season and possibly also the beginning of the new season.