News reports suggest that Sam Allardyce is set to become the third highest paid mananger in the Premiership with a proposed 4 year £12 million deal with Newcastle United. Allardyce had talks with Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd last Friday and is set to be officially appointed following a board meeting on Tuesday. If rumours are correct Allardyce will become the third highest paid manager behind Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho.

Allardyce resigned from Bolton after 8 years at the helm and has long since been tipped as favourite to take over Glenn Roeder’s position at the north east club. Last week he was joined by hopefuls Sven-Goran Eriksson and current Lyon manager Gerard Houiller. The former Liverpool man actually topped a poll of Newcastle fans as preferred successor but Allardyce who turned down the position 3 seasons ago looks firm favourite.

Media speculation has also claimed that former striker and toon hero Alan Shearer was approached for the job. However, the local legend expressed his content with his current role with the BBC. Further speculation reports that player / coach Gary Speed could leave Bolton to join his old club under Allardyce’s new regime.

The news of Allardyce’s arrival only slightly overpowers the negative reports coming out of St James Park. Firstly news comes that striker Obafemi Martins has walked out of the North East club and looks certain to be playing elsewhere next season. Martins declared himself unfit and refused to travel for the Watford game despite medical staff not being able to find anything wrong with him. The 22 year old who is also a Nigerian international has scored 17 goals in 46 appearances for Newcastle United. He arrived at the club last summer for £10 million after a transfer from Inter Milan.

Newcastle United will also be taking disciplinary action against 20 year old Frenchman Charles N’Zogbia who plays as a winger. The player was set to be on the bench for Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Watford but refused and left the ground. The 1-1 away draw with relegated Watford brought an end to a difficult week for Newcastle United and one they will want to put behind them. However, it also brought fresh injury scares for Michael Owen who was stretchered off during the game for a collision with Matthew Pattison. The England and Newcastle striker in only his third appearance since his return suffered mild concussion but was said to be recovering and in good spirits post match. Newcastle took a first-half lead in the match courtesy of Kieron Dyer but the goal was wiped out with an equaliser as Watford man Marlon King converted a penalty on 52 minutes.