Given leads Allardyce backing

Newcastle Utd v ArsenalSam Allardyce goes into the game at home to Arsenal tonight that could make or break his tenure at Newcastle United with the public backing of his players.

The squad's longest-serving members, Republic of Ireland international Shay Given and Steve Harper, reacted angrily yesterday to the suggestion of a dressing-room revolt against Allardyce, describing that as "utter nonsense" and offering support to their under-pressure manager.

Allardyce is in danger of being sacked if Newcastle lose this evening, with Alan Shearer understood to be ready to replace him, and has acknowledged that "players are not happy with a lot of the stuff I do". They are unhappy at plans to separate them from their families for four nights at Christmas, and Given and Harper were said to have led a delegation to complain to Allardyce about that and rebel against his tactics, selection and the appointment of Geremi as captain.

"The story is total and utter nonsense," the goalkeepers Given and Harper said in a joint statement. "Sam Allardyce has the full backing and support of every Newcastle United player and we are all working together as one to bring success to the football club. It is fair to say both of us are absolutely furious at what we have read. It is mischief making of the highest order and appears designed to unsettle everyone on the eve of our big game against Arsenal on Wednesday night.

"We have a player committee which is led by our captain, Geremi, and which also includes James Milner, Mark Viduka and ourselves. Many issues are openly discussed between players and the manager, as is commonplace at any club. Far from that being 'player power' . . . this is sensible and constructive communication."

Rumours persist that some players are unhappy about tactics but Allardyce, whose team have taken one point from their past five games, said: "Fans are only interested in winning.

"I don't know where that perception comes that Newcastle fans would rather lose 4-3 than win 1-0."

Allardyce has won his past three Premier League home games against Arsenal, as Bolton Wanderers' manager, and his tactics have been criticised by Arsene Wenger but the Arsenal manager was supportive ahead of tonight's match.

"To turn things round you need time," he said.

Looking from the outside, Wenger finds the situation difficult to understand. "It is a bit harsh, but firstly I don't know if it is true and secondly I don't know what is really going on inside the club," he said.

"But if the speculations you talk about are true then as he has just been appointed it is surprising."

Wenger, though, does not believe Newcastle will be anything other than ready to throw Arsenal's title charge off track tonight.

"When you go up there you always expect a passionate game and we will prepare to face a strong Newcastle side, but again we will focus mainly on our ownperformance," said Wenger.

Wenger has something of a selection headache in midfield for tonight's game - with Cesc Fabregas, Alexander Hleb, Mathieu Flamini and Abou Diaby all unavailable because of injury.

The Arsenal manager, however, can call on the experience of Brazil captain Gilberto to plug any gaps at St James' Park, with combative teenager Denilson also travelling up to Tyneside.

Allardyce has resigned himself to losing defenders Abdoulaye Faye and Stephen Carr to injury.

Faye damaged a calf muscle on his return from a hamstring problem at Blackburn on Saturday. Carr, who replaced him at Ewood Park, felt a tightness in his own hamstring and also had to come off, and both are major doubts.