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Newcastle to tackle Martins problem "in-house"

29/11/2008

Newcastle assistant manager Chris Houghton refused to comment on the actions of striker Obafemi Martins during the 0-0 draw against Middlesbrough.

The Nigerian international stormed straight to the dressing room after he was substituted after 65 minutes. Martins was replaced by Mark Viduka, who was making his return from injury.

"You want nobody to be happy to be taken off," said Hughton. "But any issues that way are always dealt with in-house, and that's always the correct way to approach it, always."

The draw leaves Newcastle in 17th place in the Premier League, level points with city rivals Sunderland who are a place below. But Hughton was very happy with the point and the way his team played.

"On the back of last week (draw at Chelsea), what we wanted to do was keep a clean sheet," said Hughton."We felt we had enough to score a goal here, and as the game opened up in the second half, I genuinely feel, although it could have gone either way, we got into the better areas.

"If our final ball had been a little bit better, we could have gone on and taken the three points. That would be the only disappointing factor, but to come here and get a draw is a good result."

Newcastle will look to get further away from the relegation zone next week when they host Stoke City at St James Park.