SAM Allardyce believes the introduction of a January break is the only way that the new transfer window system will work.

Last year the Wanderers boss became renowned for his trips to the continent as he attempted to entice players to come and join him at the Reebok Stadium.

Youri Djorkaeff and Fredi Bobic were both impressed by the personal touch when he visited the pair and their representatives in Germany, while there seemed to be an endless number of journeys to Madrid as Allardyce lured Ivan Campo to the club.

But due to fixture congestion it has been impossible for Sam to travel abroad to watch players in the flesh and discuss possible deals in the weeks leading up to the window.

He said: "If we are to stick with this system my opinion is we should get into line with a lot of other countries and shut down for January.

"I like to do my business in the first two weeks of January. I would like the players who have been working their socks off to have a two week break, and then all come together with the new players towards the end of the month.

"You are asked to find a good player, bring him over, put him in a Wanderers kit, give him two days training and go out in the Premiership with all the pressure, and ask him to play at his best.

"That is virtually an impossible task for a player, especially if he comes from abroad.

"This time we will only be taking players from information we have got from videos, CVs and scouts - unfortunately there will be no trips."

Allardyce put paid to any suggestions that Derby forward Malcolm Christie is a target by stating he is only looking abroad for players.

But he reveals that a couple of deals are very close to fruition.

He said: "There are no players that we could afford from the Nationwide League, so the only option for us is to go abroad.

"I have now received information that - although not definite - some good players are prepared to come on loan or are available to us.

"They are in defence and the front line, which is what I wanted, and we are now moving into the stage of the deal where we discuss what that would cost financially.

"It depends on what we can afford but bringing in a player, even on loan, is very expensive for just the remaining 18 games."