Last Updated: Mon, 14 Jan 2013 07:26
West Ham have told Newcastle to forget about making a move for James Tomkins because the central defender is not for sale.
Toon boss Alan Pardew is on the look out for a new centre-half as doubts continue to surround the future of Fabricio Coloccini and reports claimed a move could be on the cards for long-term target Tomkins.
The youngster has struggled for a regular start at Upton Park, leading to suggestions the move could get the go-ahead, however after Hammers defender James Collins picked up an injury at the weekend there is little chance of the east Londoners selling.
Collins is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after tearing his hamstring at Sunderland and Tomkins will now get his chance to cement his place in the side.
"We only have two centre-halves left James and (Winston) Reidy and we have a young 19-year-old at full-back because we have no one else, so I need two if I am really honest," Sam Allardyce revealed.
"I have been looking for a left-back for the last ten days and found that very difficult to find one to come and join us and now it is a left-back and a centre-half or a left-back who can play at centre-half ideally."
Pardew is confident he can keep hold of Coloccini but has a list of targets should the Argentina ace leave before the window closes.
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