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Midfielder hope for mate Martins
Stoke City, 18:10, June 30, 2009 ,
Potters midfielder Seyi Olofinjana hopes his Nigeria team-mate Obafemi Martins chooses to join him at Stoke.
The Newcastle United star has been linked with a move to City after the Magpies' relegation to the Championship, but the Potters are among several Premier League clubs chasing the 24-year-old.
Olofinjana, a team-mate of Martins with Nigeria's 'Super Eagles', admits he would welcome the capture of the ex-Inter Milan star who has scored 35 goals in three injury-hit seasons on Tyneside.
He told Goal.com: "I have also read that Stoke are interested in Martins.
"He is a very good striker who would certainly improve our attack. I hope he joins us."
Olofinjana added that he does not feel bitter about manager Tony Pulis' decision to leave him out after his return from injury last season.
The summer signing from Wolverhampton Wanderers made 14 Premier League starts for City in the first half of the campaign but hardly featured after Christmas.
He said: "I believe I did well in the first few matches in the Premier League, scoring two goals against Arsenal and Everton. It wasn't that bad a season for me.
"I struggled with injury for a long time and by the time I regained full fitness, I found myself fighting to return to a team doing well at that time.
"The manager was comfortable with the team - you do not change a winning team. They were a lot more defensive and that approach helped us to remain in the top flight."