Smith wore the captain's armband in the 1-0 Boxing Day defeat to
Wigan which sparked rumours that Geremi, who also started the game,
had been axed.
However, Cameroon international Geremi is set to depart for the
African Cup of Nations in January and Allardyce has said Smith will
take up the vacant captain's role.
"It's a permanent decision for now because obviously Geremi is
going away to the African Nations," Allardyce told Newcastle's
official website.
"We need to establish for a while somebody who can captain the side
on a regular basis with the attitude, desire and commitment that
Alan shows.
"We need to see that from all the players because we cannot win a
Premier League match without that level of commitment from
everyone."
