Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew admits he doesn't know if he'll land his defensive targets in January.

Newcastle are not advanced in their moves for any defenders yet.

"You never know - you just don't know. You can't predict it," he told the Sunday Sun. "We certainly haven't done a deal yet. We've approached a couple of clubs for prices and that's it.

"Every manager does (hate January). It unsettles the group, the media have to sell papers so they speculate and players take it as read if they're not wanted, they're off or somebody else exciting wants them.

"The grass isn't always greener, though."