Obafemi Martins admits life at Newcastle United is different under manager Kevin Keegan when compared with his former gaffer Sam Allardyce.

Recalling when he burst into tears at being substituted against Birmingham City earlier this season, Martins told the Observer: "After five minutes we were talking and laughing.

"He said to me, 'Oba, if you do that again you're gonna pay a fine.' And I said to him, 'If you do that kind of thing again [substitute me], you're gonna pay a fine too.' So we started laughing about it."

Since that game Martins has played 90 minutes in three out of four matches and scored twice. The respect clearly works both ways.

"Sam Allardyce never talked a lot," he says. "Kevin Keegan speaks as if we are team-mates. It's different and I like it."