Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce admits he is still upset at losing out to Chelsea in the race for Bolton defender Tal Ben Haim.

The manager said: "The one particular disappointment was we could not stave off Chelsea with Tal Ben Haim - that's the size of the competition we have come across.

"We could not quite persuade Steve Sidwell to sign either, and he went to Chelsea.

"We have had some disappointments, but I think the three signings we have made in a short space of time have been massive moves forward for the football club."