 After an impressive pre-season Martin was put in the starting line up against Colchester, however this game ended in a 7–1 defeat for Norwich and Martin was one of those who found himself out of the side for the next few games.However, newly installed manager Paul Lambert began to start with Martin again and he scored his first goal of the season away to MK Dons after just 16 seconds.Martin signed a new three-and-a-half year contract in January 2010 and he finished the 2009–10 season with 23 goals in 48 appearances (40 starts and 8 sub appearances) including the winning goal against Leeds United at Carrow Road which left the Canaries on the brink of an instant return to the Championship, with promotion later being confirmed with a 1–0 win away against Charlton Athletic.