[Mighty T.A.L.]

Big names on Big Sam's wishlist

Mark Viduka, Sami Hyypia, Tal Ben Haim, Sol Campbell and Jlloyd Samuel are all thought to be on Sam Allardyce's Newcastle shopping list.

Allardyce has wasted little time since taking the manager's job at St James' Park earlier this week and on Wednesday announced five players - Titus Bramble, Craig Moore, Olivier Bernard, Pavel Srnicek and Oguchi Onyewu - would not have their contracts renewed.

But the former Bolton boss is thought to have drawn up a list of replacements, with Middlesbrough striker Viduka at the top of his hitlist.

The Australian forward is out of contract this summer and has stalled on signing a new two-year deal at the Riverside Stadium.

However, Allardyce will face stiff competition for Viduka's signature from Manchester United, while Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp is also thought to be keen on the 31-year-old.

Allardyce is also hoping to give his defensive options a complete makeover and is rumoured to be planning a shock move for Pompey defender Campbell.

The former Arsenal star resurrected his career at Fratton Park this season, but Allardyce hopes to persuade him to lend his experience to his Tyneside revolution.

The Toon boss is also considering raiding his former club Bolton for highly-rated defender Ben Haim, who is available on a free transfer after his contract expired at the Reebok Stadium.

Liverpool defender Hyypia is another option and the Finn could easily be persuaded to move on after losing his first-team place at Anfield to Daniel Agger.

Allardyce is also in the hunt for a full-back and has been strongly linked with a move for Villa's Samuel, who is eager to leave Villa Park after seeing his first-team opportunities limited under Martin O'Neill.

Swiss midfielder Gelson Fernandes is also a target, but Allardyce will face competition from his former Bolton assistant Sammy Lee in the race to sign the FC Sion player.

And while Allardyce is preparing to bring a number of players in, yet more Toon stars could be set for the chop with Celestine Babayaro, Antoine Sibierski, Stephen Carr and Charles N'Zogbia set to make way for the new arrivals.

Source: Teamtalk