Pardew gets defender cash

Newcastle boss given green-light to buy in January

By Graeme Bailey - Tweet me: @skygraemebailey.   Last Updated: December 16, 2011 2:53pm

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Alan Pardew: Ready to buy new defender

Sky Bet

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."