Big Sam bids to replace Dyer

Updated 09.35 Thu Aug 02 2007

Keywords: Premier League, Newcastle United, football, sport, West Ham United, Sam Allardyce, Kieron Dyer

Newcastle United manager Sam Allardyce wants to move quickly to bring in a replacement for England winger Kieron Dyer.

West Ham United have agreed an undisclosed fee for 28-year-old Dyer, who is keen to move south to be closer to his family.

"I think we'll be close by the end of the week to maybe one or two players, I would hope" - Sam Allardyce

And Allardyce is already planning for the future as he bids to revive the Magpies' fortunes.

He said: "My job now is to replace him, which shouldn't take too long I don't think, and then move on to other players in other positions as quickly as I can or at the same time.

"I think we'll be close by the end of the week to maybe one or two players, I would hope.

"Then after that I would look to get at least another two or maybe three in because if Kieron goes, whoever comes in to replace him, that's only one for one, so it's not actually improving the squad in terms of strength in depth."

Meanwhile, Allardyce hopes to put an end to the fitness problems that have hampered the club in recent years through hard work.