Sam Allardyce will look to add proven quality to his Newcastle squad in January as the demands of the African Nations Cup hit hard.

The Magpies will lose four players - leading scorer Obafemi Martins, skipper Geremi and defenders Habib Beye and Abdoulaye Faye - for up to six weeks after Manchester City's visit to St James' Park on January 2.

Allardyce always knew that was likely to be the case when he signed Geremi, Beye and Faye during the summer, and although their absence could be offset in part by the impending returns of the likes of Michael Owen, Damien Duff and Stephen Carr from injury, he hopes to be able to strengthen next month.

He said: "We need two or three players and we are on the ball over that.

"But we do need quality players, and I just hope we can find them."