Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has been told he cannot replace his African Nations Cup-bound stars in January.

Allardyce wants to bring in at least one player as he prepares to wave goodbye to Obafemi Martins, Abdoulaye Faye, Habib Beye and Geremi - who will all depart for the tournament in Ghana which runs from January 20th to February 10th.

Allardyce told the Daily Mirror: "We've got four players going and we've got to try and do something about it in January, to bring somebody in to help out the situation.

"Losing players then is going to be a big problem for me and for everyone else in the Premier League."

But chairman Chris Mort has told the former Bolton boss that any funds released in the transfer window will be for young players which the club can develop for the future.

He said: "We had nine new signings in the summer.

"I think part of the difficulty we've had, particularly in defence, is getting those guys working together.

"I'm not convinced adding another two names in defence is necessarily going to be the solution this season.

"If I made any signings in January, they'd be young guys who I could see staying for a very long time - not immediate first-team regulars.

"Sam's not pitched to me that we need to sign players because of that tournament.

"If i was going to sign anyone it would be with a much longer-term view than January and February.

"We're looking to build a first-team capable of competing at the top level, but we are also looking to improve at youth level and make signings there.

"That's an area which Newcastle United, historically, hasn't worried too much about.

"But Arsenal are the classic club to look at, and see the value of making very smart young signings and developing players."