With Steve Harper, the goalkeeper, appearing as an emergency centre-forward for the final 10 minutes of Newcastle United’s 4-1 victory over Celtic on Thursday night, the evidence was apparent to everyone present at St James’ Park, but Shay Given reiterated the point yesterday. With the new season only a fortnight away, the club’s playing resources remain stretched far beyond comfort.

Injuries are a familiar blot on the Tyneside landscape – Joey Barton, Michael Owen, Emre Belozoglu, Shola Ameobi, Celestine Babayaro and Damien Duff did not feature against the Scottish champions for medical reasons – but Sam Allardyce’s first-team squad was, in any case, on the minimalist side. Given has now echoed the manager’s request for decisive action in the transfer market.

Minor strains for Steven Taylor and Nicky Butt highlighted the issue and if, as expected, Kieron Dyer leaves for West Ham United or Tottenham Hotspur (Manchester City are also interested but would not assist the midfield player’s desire to live closer to his Ipswich-based family), Newcastle’s midfield will require reinforcements.

The addition of Barton, Mark Viduka (who is presently on holiday), Geremi and David Rozehnal appear solid, but Allardyce is still seeking defenders with knowledge of the Barclays Premiership. For that reason, he has ruled out any move for Curtis Davies of West Bromwich Albion, insisting that for all his potential, Taylor needs an old hand alongside him.

“I’m looking for experience and experienced defenders,” Allardyce said. “I have Steven who is a very young, but a very good prospect and to put Curtis Davies alongside him in the Premiership, with both of them in their early 20s, would be the wrong thing to do. Somebody with more experience needs to be brought in alongside David Rozehnal, who has been pretty impressive in the time he’s been here. Peter Ramage and Paul Huntington have both done terrific jobs, but as good a player as Curtis Davies is, I need more experience in those positions to achieve the clean sheets we’ll need.”

Extra numbers are necessary but, as Allardyce pointed out earlier this week, a change of ownership at Newcastle is yet to bring swift dividends in terms of buying players – Chris Mort, the chairman, is overseeing a comprehensive review of club matters – and as time passes, the pool of talent is diminishing sharply.

“The manager’s working hard behind the scenes but I really think we need some players,” Given, the Ireland international, said. “The squad’s the lightest that it’s been for as long as I can remember. It’s extremely important that we get some players in but the manager knows that, he’s not silly. Offensively we’re very strong and as strong as most clubs in that department.

“But we don't have too many defenders floating about these days. I know we’ve got some young defenders coming through but it’s a lot to expect of them to be playing every week in the Premiership. They’re learning their trade and it’s important we get some experienced defenders in to help them develop and improve. We’re extremely short at the moment.”

The prospect of Obafemi Martins departing now seems improbable, however. The Nigeria striker has a £13 million escape clause in his contract, but while Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, is an admirer of the forward, no bids have been received by Newcastle, to whom Martins has now verbally committed himself.

“I will keep my mouth shut,” the 22-year-old said. “I am not going anywhere, I am still a Newcastle player. I am very, very happy here, so I am not going anywhere. I believe you need competition. We have many games to play, so everybody will have to play together.”