Alan Pardew eyes double defensive swoop

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is preparing a double defensive swoop in January to patch up his side's injury-ravaged back line.

The Magpies boss could secure as many as two new defenders next month, with Montpellier skipper Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and PSV Eindhoven's Erik Pieters high on the list.

Newcastle's central-defence has been torn apart with the news that Steven Taylor will miss the season with Achilles trouble, while skipper Fabricio Coloccini will also miss a month with a thigh strain.

"The injuries are our biggest concern now. We've had a brilliant season so far, but injuries are going to come our way and you have to cope with it," said Pardew.

"We've been a bit unlucky in these three games, we've not had our best squad to pick from, yet my team are competitive."

Newcastle could move back into the top four with victory over Norwich on Saturday afternoon.