Allardyce set for swoop

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce admits he may have to dip into the transfer market once again to strengthen his defence after suffering a double injury blow.

With new owner Mike Ashley looking on at the Riverside Stadium, Allardyce saw his side twice pegged back after losing first Stephen Carr and then replacement Peter Ramage.

And Allardyce said: "That, on top of not winning, makes me feel like we have lost rather than drawn. We will have to deal with those injury situations and see whether that takes us into the market on a more ferocious basis this week, which it might have to."

Carr could be sidelined for up to six weeks, while Ramage may have damaged knee ligaments, and that added to the manager's disappointment on a day when three points were briefly within his grasp.

Allardyce added: "I am well short now defensively, which is where my biggest problems have lain all summer.

"They are back there again now because of two injuries. It is typical, you always seem to get injuries where you are short.

"We are short in that area and we picked up not just one, but two injuries, and certainly one looks quite serious. With the window shutting, we will have to have a good look around and see how we go on."