Newcastle deny moves to oust Allardyce

Newcastle have taken just one Barclays Premier League point from a possible nine over the Christmas period, but amid fevered speculation that his employers could be looking for a new saviour - former Tottenham manager Martin Jol and Geordie hero Alan Shearer occupied many column inches over the weekend - Mort dismissed the rumours.

He said: "All this makes me laugh and I find all this speculation tedious. There is a different name every week and there is just no truth in it."

Club owner Mike Ashley was among the travelling fans at Wigan on Boxing Day, when he will have been left in little doubt over their feelings as the Magpies slipped to a dismal 1-0 defeat three days after needing a late equaliser to claim a point against relegation favourites Derby on their own park.

He was not at Stamford Bridge on Saturday as a much-improved display against an admittedly weakened Blues' outfit failed to yield any reward, albeit courtesy of a poor decision which allowed Salomon Kalou's late winner to stand.

However, with Ashley enjoying a winter break, Mort was there to hear the 3,000 or so away supporters applaud their side warmly from the pitch despite their disappointment.

He said: "We were all very proud of the players and disappointed that we lost to what was clearly an offside goal."