NEWCASTLE’s chances of raising vital funds from the sale of Obafemi Martins took a serious blow after confirmation the Nigeria international is about to undergo a groin operation.

With Alan Shearer yet to reach agreement with Mike Ashley and Derek Lambias about becoming the Magpies manager, Martins’ revelation further complicates the club’s summer rebuilding plans.

Shearer has reportedly requested funds of up to £20m to rebuild the Magpies’ squad ahead of next season’s bid for promotion, but the club are also desperate to trim their huge wage bill and cash in on some of their more saleable assets.

Martins sent a letter to the Nigeria team coach this week confirming he won’t be joining the national squad for their friendly fixture against the Republic of Ireland this evening.

The operation on his troublesome groin is expected to sideline Martins for up to eight weeks; robbing Nigeria of their leading striker for this summer’s World Cup qualifiers. But the impact on Newcastle could be equally damaging as Martins is unlikely to attract bidders for his signature while he’s on the treatment table.

Despite failing to fully establish himself as a top Premier League marksman, the Newcastle striker bagged eight goals last season and remains one of the more coveted players in the squad. The 24-year-old had been linked with a summer move to Arsenal or Fiorentina, but any transfer is expected to be put on hold until he is able to prove his fitness.

Newcastle beat a host of Premier League clubs for M a r t i n s ’ s i g n a t u r e when they signed him from Inter Milan for £10m in August 2006 but he has often failed to combine coolness in front of goal with his explosive pace.

While he is expected to be a Newcastle player for the foreseeable future, defender Sebastien Bassong, pictured, is a reported target of Arsenal, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.

But the Magpies are expected to demand up to £15m for the 22-year-old, who was a brought to the club by Kevin Keegan last summer for a bargain £500,000. Bassong is on international duty with the Cameroon squad ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Morocco on June 7.

Despite being offered a lucrative new deal to keep him at St James’ Park, the former Metz centre-back is believed to be keen on playing top flight football next season despite enjoying his spell on Tyneside.

Shearer is very eager to retain Bassong’s services next season with Steven Taylor, Steve Harper and Nicky Butt all players he is keen to retain.

Potential suitors are expected to take advantage of the Magpies’ financial plight by tempting them with bids for Bassong and Shearer may be forced to concede that funds generated from his sale would at least his spending power should he fail to persuade to stay.

The club will also speak to Senegal international Habib Beye who has insisted he wants to remain on Tyneside.