Shay Given, once the most reliable player on Newcastle's books, is still not over that horror injury he picked up at West Ham last season when he went for a 50-50 ball will Marlon Harewood.
He is out for "two to three weeks", and Big Sam is still not convinced we have see the last of that injury and described the Irishman as "fragile".
The problem that seems to have become "sod's law" is that whenever Steve Harper deputises for Given, he too ends up in the treatment room. Which is why we saw Pavel Srnicek return to action in Toon colours last campaign.
Allardyce: "I think that going out and finding a top goalkeeper is something we might need to put on our agenda. It's a real concern.
Toon Face Goalkeeper Crisis!
"We've got a three-week window to find someone else if I think we need to. I'm sure Shay he will be fine in two or three weeks. But from thereon, if there's another problem with one of the goalkeepers (there will be no cover at St James's Park).
"I've got to make a decision as to whether or not I go out and buy one.
"Tim Krul isn't an option. I've spoken to the staff and the consensus is that he's too inexperienced and too young, he has great potential but he needs more experience playing first-team football at a lesser club.
"That's better than bringing him here and putting him into a situation he's not capable of coping with at the moment. That could damage his confidence and as a young goalkeeper it might mean he doesn't develop to that level."
Do we really need to BUY a 'keeper? Couldn't we bring one in on loan?