Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce has pleaded with Mike Ashley to release funds for the January market.

Allardyce said: "We have four players going to the African Nations. That leaves us with 15 outfield players - including Carr, Owen and Duff. I have no scope for moving players on. Taking four away for the African Nations leaves me woefully short of numbers.

"Does it depend on money being released? Yes. It is also players being available before money being released. That is the ultimate issue. Me and Chris are working on that. Those negotiations are confidential until a deal is cut.

"If you can pick up a quality player - and it is a loan situation - then fine.

"Those types of deals are few and far between now than they were five years ago. There is only one focus - the players have to be better than what we've got.

"You have to be careful. This is the most difficult window to deal in and I keep saying this - it is a hugely flawed system.

"It stops me progressing the club and stops me being more successful and stops you at critical times overcoming what can be critical positions regarding injury problems."