The 22-year-old Nigeria international was the club's leading scorer with 17 in his first season at St James' Park after Glenn Roeder pushed through a $25million transfer from Inter Milan.

However, speculation has been rife for several weeks that Arsenal could be ready to trigger a $32million get-out clause in his contract to lure him to the Emirates Stadium following Thierry Henry's departure for Barcelona.

Ferdinand, who formed a deadly partnership with Alan Shearer at St James', admits talk of a Michael Owen-Mark Viduka partnership may have unsettled the Nigerian.

But he is confident Martins, England hitman Owen, new signing Viduka, the fit-again Shola Ameobi and teenager Andy Carroll can terrorise defences in the Barclays Premier League next season.

Ferdinand said: "I recommend Oba to stay at Newcastle. He had a great season last year for me and grabbed 17 goals.

"Considering how disappointing Newcastle were last year, he still shone.

"Now (manager) Sam (Allardyce) will be looking to tap into Oba and get more out of him. Oba probably feels at home here and will want to build on it.

"People are saying that the combination will be Owen and Viduka. That has probably put his back up a bit because he was the top scorer last season.

"Nobody is mentioning him, and that will hurt, but it's up to him to come out and make sure he is playing come August 11."

Newcastle have played with two strikers in recent seasons, but while Allardyce is determined to stamp out the sloppiness at the back which have cost the Magpies so dearly, Ferdinand expects him to exploit his attacking resources.

He said: "At times, people said we could not play Les Ferdinand, Alan Shearer and Tino Asprilla, and Kevin Keegan did. Sometimes we would play with four, so it can be done.

"It did not help our defenders much, but it's great for the fans - and Sam will use that attacking system when he sees fit."

Meanwhile, Newcastle midfielder Kieron Dyer is being linked with a move away from Tyneside with West Ham touted as potential purchasers.

The 28-year-old England international was deep in conversation with coach Nigel Pearson on the pitch at Hartlepool on Tuesday night after playing 64 minutes of his side's 3-1 friendly victory over the League One side.

Allardyce has repeatedly spoken of his excitement at working with Dyer next season as he attempts to bring the good times back to St James' Park.

However, reports have suggested the Hammers could be ready to attempt to renew his relationship with former Magpies Craig Bellamy, Scott Parker and Lee Bowyer - with whom he was involved in an infamous on-the-pitch incident - at Upton Park.

Dyer, who has been plagued by injuries exacerbated by a medical problem during his time at St James', joined Newcastle in a £6million move from Ipswich in July 1999 under Ruud Gullit.

At his best, he is a destroyer of defences, but his injuries and other incidents - he famously refused to play out of position for Sir Bobby Robson and found himself the target of a fans' backlash - have hampered his efforts to make the impact on a sustained basis his talent suggests he should.

The midfielder's injury history would mean he is unlikely to command a sizeable fee, although his wage packet - he is one of the highest-paid players at St James' - would take some matching.

Allardyce has been proactive in the transfer market already this summer and has a series of targets in his sights, but any move for Dyer, who has also been linked with Tottenham this summer, would leave him needing to plug another gap.

James Milner has proved himself in the right-wing berth the older man dislikes, and utility man Geremi would provide cover in that department.

However, Dyer's ability to open up teams would be missed, and that would be a focus should the Hammers interest be formalised.