Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has admitted he has given up hope of
landing Manchester United's versatile defender Wes Brown on loan
next month.
The Magpies tactician had targeted the 28-year-old England
international after the long-serving Red Devils ace rejected the
chance to sign a new contract.
However, Allardyce believes with worries over Gary Neville's
long-term fitness, Ferguson will not be prepared to let Brown
depart in the New Year.
The former Bolton manager is desperate to plug the Magpies' leaky
defence, although they did keep a clean sheet in their last-gasp
1-0 win at Fulham on Saturday.
"Wes Brown is not going to be available in January," he told The
People. "He may leave at the end of the season.
"The speculation comes round because he supposedly turned a
contract down, but I can't see Sir Alex letting him leave with Gary
Neville being injured."
