SAM Allardyce is continuing his search for Santa Cruz’s replacement but admits, even with £13million in his transfer kitty, finding a viable solution is easier said than done.

He said: “We have got quite a few irons in the fire without going so far as we are very close to anything.

"We are at least in negotiations with, not the club, but the players agents. None of those are in this country, although we are still looking in this country.

“At the moment we have about three on the go and hopefully we will be able to clinch one, or maybe one will turn up from here and if he does we will try to join in.

"We can’t afford any mistakes in that area.

“We have to do a lot of research, especially if they are going to come from abroad, which it looks like they are.

"And when we have done that we have to hope we can integrate them as quickly as possible.”