Newcastle United striker Obafemi Martins admits manager Kevin Keegan brought him to tears when he was substituted during Monday night's 1-1 draw at Birmingham City.

The former Inter Milan forward said: "I was upset when I had to come off. I didn't want to go off because I wanted to help the team. I wanted to help us try to win the game. I felt we were going to get the winner and I was frustrated when I saw that I was going off.

"There were a few tears because I was frustrated and emotional - nobody likes to be taken off and I'm no different.

"It was a big game for Newcastle and I was desperate to do something on the pitch that might have got us all three points.

"I didn't understand why I was been taken off so I made my feelings known but the manager was brilliant. He said he understood how I felt - he just explained why he had done it.

"He told me to relax because I had played well and that I'd been taken off because it was a tactical decision. I like the manager. He knows that I wanted to try and win the game and he is happy with that sort of attitude. We are not angry with each other."