Newcastle United: Potential January transfer targets

After a superb start to the season, aspirations have been lifted at the Sports Direct Arena and investment into the team will be welcomed by supporters hoping for European football into 2012.

Even though manager Alan Pardew said the search for a new striker had been abandoned after talks for Sochaux's Modibo Maiga collapsed, with prolific striker Demba Ba heading to the African Nations Cup, a replacement may be bought. And with the possibility of highly rated defensive midfielder Cheik Tiote leaving Tyneside for a Premier League rival may also force Pardew into finding an adequate replacement.

The injury crisis that ripped through the heart of the defence means signing a central defender is a priority.

Here, we round-up the players being linked with a possible move to Newcastle.

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