Newcastle United managing director Derek Llambias won't break their transfer policy.

Questions have been raised about whether another defender should have been signed in the summer, after injuries to Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor left Alan Pardew short of options, but managing director Llambias stands by the club's policy.

"We've made it quite clear to everyone. We have 11 positions that are grade A players or Purples, as we call them," he explained in the Northern Echo.

"Then, under them, we have the players who come in under them to take the positions so the squad gets bigger.

"Eventually we'll have 33 players who will be pushing everyone. Where we are we have, in effect, 11 Purples if you count (Vurnon) Anita. He can play midfield, right-back, left-back. They are there. Centre-backs you have Colo and Steven Taylor, who are fantastic centre-backs.

"To bring in another centre-back then you have James Perch, who is doing a fantastic job, (Mike) Williamson, who is doing a fantastic job. You can't have two purples per position because the club can't afford it. You have to be realistic."