Allardyce transfer warning

But as the club's new owners and their staff find their feet at St James' Park, Allardyce has admitted he fears Newcastle are falling behind their rivals in the transfer market.

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He said: "The difficulty for me is we've had a complete change around at the club and they don't quite understand that if you don't move quickly then you can get lost.

"It is a frustration for me but an understandable position for them. They obviously need to know what is happening - to be cautious - but for me many targets are coming and going now and more and more people are moving actively in the transfer market.

"Some of the targets which were ours have gone, but that's the way it goes. There will be plenty more but we must move quickly."

Newcastle were linked with Ronaldinho at the weekend, which may fit with new billionaire owner Mike Ashley's long-term plans to raise the profile of the club, but Allardyce's priority is to shore up a defence notorious for leaking goals before their opening game of the season at his former club, Bolton.

He added: "We need three solid, very good defenders, preferably with Premiership experience. If Mike wants to give me a little gift of a Galactico afterwards I wouldn't say no."

Newcastle have returned from a 10- day training camp in Austria where Allardyce has been quick to stamp his authority on his squad.

Tonight they take on Hartlepool United in their first pre-season friendly, with England striker Michael Owen expected to make an appearance.

Owen is one of many to have been encouraged by Allardyce's forward-thinking concepts and the Newcastle boss is confident that will help him make his mark at the club.

England coach Steve Round is among the new recruits on the coaching staff and Allardyce is looking to expand the club's sports science department.

He said: "Our policy is to prevent injuries and make players fitter physically and mentally so they are available more often and give more value for money to the supporters and the club.

"That's probably been one of the biggest problems here over the last two years and it has arguably cost the last two managers their jobs."