With Michael Owen, Mark Viduka and Shola Ameobi all absent, Martins lead from the front with Luque shortly behind.

Both strikers worked hard and earned their goals in a game, which ended 4-1. But did they have something to prove?

Martins has repeatedly featured in the daily tabloids as a target for an Italian transfer, most recently linked with Juventus, whilst Luque failed to start a game in the English Premier League last season under former manager Glenn Roeder.

Have the times changed?

Well, Martins has never said he wanted to leave and his state of play this evening would dispute those rumours, however there have been many a time when Luque has looked set to leave - and not though choice.

The Spaniard has been at St James' Park since 2005 and has never really made a lasting impression. His main appearances under Roeder came in the UEFA competition or at times when Newcastle were suffering a severe injury crisis.

He also never really lit up the pitch either then or now. However, whilst only pre-season, he played against Celtic with a want to be actively involved and hungry to score goals.

So what has changed?

The management is an obvious one - his desire perhaps?

The answer is both!

Luque, who was replaced at half time, was given an opportunity to show exactly what he could do under Sam Allardyce and infront of a home crowd, which at St James' Park, is something special. His match wasn't perfect, his play wasn't consistent but he definitely made an impact and got people talking. Most importantly he had the confidence to go for goal and as a result scored two goals, which contributed to the 3-0 score-line at halftime.

Do we really want him gone or do we want to keep him?

We have a good selection of strikers at the moment (though many injury prone), whilst some may be more confident that others and feature more prominently in Big Sam's plans there is definitely room for all of them, complimenting each other.

With confidence comes results. Luque was noticeable more confident in this preseason match than in any match under Roeder's managerial team. That's no disrespect to the team but perhaps shows Allardyce is willing to bring out the best in all his players and with that comes opportunity.

So do you want Luque as one of your 5 strikers in the 2007/2008 season or would you rather see him sold on?

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