By Graeme Bailey - Tweet me: <a href='http://bit.ly/lRx0Da' class='instorylink'>@skygraemebailey</a>
Friday 16 December 2011 14:53, UK
Image:Alan Pardew: Ready to buy new defender
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has confirmed that owner Mike Ashley has given him the green light to bring in a new central defender in January.
Newcastle boss given green-light to buy in January
Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has confirmed that owner Mike Ashley has given him the green light to bring in a new central defender in January.
The Magpies have lost Steven Taylor for the rest of the season, and the club are looking for a potential replacement.
West Ham's James Tomkins and Montpellier's Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa are known to be high on their list of targets, whilst AC Milan defender Taye Taiwo is also rumoured to be a target.
With a deal for Sochaux striker Modibo Maiga already in place, Pardew looks set for a busy January.
"Mike asked me when am I going to get a centre-half," Pardew revealed.
"It's about making sure we get the right one. When you look at centre-halves it is easy to get it wrong.
"You can look at David Luiz, who is finding it difficult, he was £18m and he didn't play the last game.
"So it doesn't matter what you spend, you have to get the right one."
