Big Sam rules out sale of duo

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has said that neither Steven Taylor or Obafemi Martins will be sold during the transfer window. In a January where Newcastle have been linked with a string of football transfers Big Sam has said players may be coming in to join Tozer who joined from Swindon, but no big names will be leaving.

Allardyce told the Evening Chronicle: "While they say everybody has got his price, I can tell them that Steven Taylor is not for sale.

"We have had no contact with Villa or City about Obafemi Martins, but I can tell them - and anybody else, for that matter - that he is not for sale.

"I do not want to lose any players really," he added on the club's official website.

"But I'm in the same boat as everyone else really. If a large enough offer is made for one of my fringe players and we can use the money to strengthen the side, we will look at it.

"It would have to be a sizeable offer to tempt me."