Last Updated: Mon, 14 Jan 2013 11:34
West Ham have warned Newcastle not to bother making a move for defender James Tomkins as he is not for sale.
Newcastle could be about to lose Fabricio Coloccini who wants a move away so they are after a replacement and have been linked with Tomkins.
The centre-half has been used all over the pitch this season and has rarely featured in his favoured position which has led to speculation that he could be becoming frustrated and may look to move on.
That is set to change though, as Hammers defender James Collins picked up a nasty hamstring tear at Sunderland and could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines meaning Tomkins will get his chance.
"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 10 days and found it 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."
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