Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce admits he faces a fight to lift dressing-room morale after it plummeted to the lowest point of his troubled reign.

The 53-year could only look on in despair on Wednesday as Manchester City nudged him closer to breaking point with a 2-0 Barclays Premier League victory at St James' Park.

Allardyce's misfiring side, which mustered just a solitary point from a possible 12 over Christmas, is currently marooned in mid-table and is only being spared further discomfort by the inability of the chasing pack to close the gap significantly.

That, however, could change markedly in the weeks ahead with trips to Manchester United, Arsenal and Aston Villa to come in quick succession, although whether or not the former Bolton manager is still around could depend on what happens in far less salubrious surroundings this weekend.

Allardyce rejects the suggestion that Sunday's FA Cup third-round trip to Championship promotion-chasers Stoke represents a defining moment for his tenure, but the fixture has banana skin written all over it.

Holidaying owner Mike Ashley, through the auspices of chairman Chris Mort, has let it be known in recent days that he is not actively courting potential replacements for the manager he inherited from Freddy Shepherd.

But with public opinion hardening as results elude him, the man once again installed as the favourite to be the next top-flight boss to be removed from his post faces a major battle.

He is concentrating solely on the task of lifting his players for a game which would have been tricky enough without the added pressure.

Asked if the dressing room was at its lowest ebb to date, Allardyce replied: "Probably, yes.

"The players are very dejected and disappointed. It has been a massive effort with so many games in such a short period of time.

"Now it is three defeats on the trot and in terms of confidence, that is hugely draining.

"We have to take it on the chin and take the positive points out of the game.

"But we cannot keep shooting ourselves in the foot by playing so well and not getting results to go along with it.

"It was typical of the Premier League - it will kill you under those circumstances."

Allardyce was less than impressed with referee Martin Atkinson's handling of the game's key moments, citing three instances in which he felt his side had been given a raw deal.

But the official's failure to dismiss first goalscorer Elano for a crude challenge on Abdoulaye Faye, a controversial offside decision which denied Damien Duff a run at goal and a penalty that was not given for Richard Dunne's late challenge on Steven Taylor, even in combination, did not decide a hard-fought encounter.

Ultimately, the Magpies were made to pay for not taking the chances they created and not defending adequately for the two gilt-edged ones City produced - substitute Gelson Fernandes made sure of the win within seconds of his 76th-minute arrival.

All that will have to be forgotten as Newcastle approach if not a must-win game, then certainly a must-not-lose encounter at Stoke.

The manager will at least have his four African Nations Cup participants - Faye, Habib Beye, Geremi and Obafemi Martins - available for the trip to the Potteries.

The presence of Nigeria's Martins is a bonus after national boss Berti Vogts allowed him to meet up for a training camp in Malaga later than expected.

He has been told he can play against either Stoke or United in the league six days later before heading off to prepare for the tournament in Ghana, although the other three men will join up with their respective squads after Sunday's match.

Beye, who has proved one of Allardyce's better signings, will do so hoping to have signed off on a positive note.

He said: "We need to stay together now and stick it out. It is difficult at the moment and we need to work at it.

"I think the fans have been very patient. They have been okay with us because we have had a few defeats and they have stayed behind us.

"Hopefully, we can give them something back, and that starts at Stoke City on Sunday."

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