Obafemi Martins lining up Premier League return this January

Former Newcastle United and Birmingham City striker Obafemi Martins could be set to seal a shock return to the Premier League, as part of a short-term loan deal.

And his former Toon Army ally Chris Hughton heads up the list of potential suitors, with the Norwich City boss and former Magpies coach keen to bolster the Canaries’ front line for the remainder of the campaign.

The East Anglia club are 11/4 outsiders to suffer relegation from the Premier League this term but with a tally of just two goals from their last five outings in the English top flight, they face a fight to stay in the division.

While summer signing Gary Hooper has managed a solid five goals in 16 appearances for the club, fellow new boy Ricky Van Wolfswinkel has failed to find the net since the opening day of the season.

Loan arrival Johan Elmander, meanwhile, is yet to get on the scoresheet for the Canaries, despite previously excelling with Bolton in the English top flight.

This lack of goals could prompt Hughton into action, with the Norwich boss not averse to taking a gamble in the January transfer window in a bid to shore up his squad.

Last year the Yellows coach turned to Major League Soccer and Sporting Kansas City for a solution to the Canaries’ striker troubles, signing Kei Kamara on loan.

And the 55-year-old could be about to do the same again, with Seattle Sounders striker Martins one potential option for the under-pressure coach, who is the current favourite at evens to be the next Premier League manager to leave his post.

Martins has made no secret of his desire to return to Europe, with the Nigerian this week linked with a loan move to Galatasaray in Turkey.

But having enjoyed solid spells in England with Newcastle and Birmingham, the 29-year-old could well be open to a return to Blighty, with a solid spell in the Premier League potentially opening the door to a return to the national team setup just in time for the World Cup.

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