That makes him very doubtful for the Man City fixture, but on th plus side, Abdoulaye Faye has a "fighting chance" of lining up against Sven-Goran Eriksson's side.
Bitter-Sweet New Year For Allardyce!
Faye collided with Alan Smith in Saturday's defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Allardyce: "Alan Smith is extremely doubtful for tomorrow night.
"Don't forget he was knocked unconscious at Stamford Bridge and had a bad dose of concussion, and it does not look as though we have enough time for him to recover.
"But there was nothing on Abdoulaye Faye's scan and he should be OK for tomorrow night.
"He likes this position as much as he likes playing as a central defender and he is adept in both of them.
"Chelsea had some good players in their midfield on Saturday in the likes of Michael Ballack and Mikel, and Abdoulaye more than held his own against them."