Sam eyes old friends to help escape drop

Last updated : 02 January 2009 By Andy
Allardyce should be busy in the transfer market over the next couple of weeks as he looks to strengthen his side into one capable of avoiding the drop into the Championship.

The men who have been linked with Allardyce are Senegalese striker El Hadji Diouf who is not having the best of times at Sunderland and out of favour Manchester City defender Tal Ben Haim, both having previously worked with the experienced manager at the Reebok Stadium.

"If you've worked with a player before you know what they can do," said Allardyce.

"The most important thing is coping with the pressures in this league over a season.

"Players like them (Diouf and Ben Haim) are very experienced."