Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce admits Celestine Babayaro will be needed in the second-half of the season.

Allardyce said: "There is a possibility that we may need Celestine in January.

"We'll have four players away at the African Nations then.

"But we have to get him match fit and then keep him that way.

"The squad will be short in January and we will need all of what we do have left to stay fit after what will have been a gruelling December programme."