SAM Allardyce last night insisted that Mike Ashley's presence in the Riverside directors' box underlined his commitment to Newcastle United.

And having watched two of his defenders fail to finish yesterday's 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough, the Newcastle manager intends to tap the club's millionaire owner for more money before the transfer window closes on Friday.

Having maintained his previous low profile since completing a £138m take-over of the Magpies earlier this summer, Ashley could hardly have been more conspicuous as Allardyce's side maintained their unbeaten start to the season on Teesside.

Sporting a replica Newcastle shirt with Alan Smith's name and number on the back as he sat alongside Allardyce and chairman, Chris Mort, the sportswear magnate leapt to his feet as Charles N'Zogbia opened the scoring in the 22nd minute.

His presence provided a timely response to last week's stories that suggested he was contemplating selling the club to a group of Icelandic investors, claims that followed hot on the heels of reports linking him to a consortium of Chinese businessmen also interested in buying the Magpies.

And after Mort issued a public statement distancing the board from the ongoing speculation, Allardyce claimed that Ashley's decision to travel to Teesside confirmed his desire to view the club as a long-term investment.

"He appeared to enjoy himself - especially when the first goal went in," said the Newcastle boss, who watched his side record their second successive draw despite claiming the lead on two separate occasions.

"It's nice to see him for the first time, and he hasn't exactly tried to hide away has he? It was great to see him with his Newcastle shirt on.

"There's been lots of speculation about what he's doing but as far as I'm concerned, when it comes to him and Chris, we're going to be working together to move the club forward as quickly as we possibly can.

"It's not quick enough for me, but I'm always the most impatient one at a football club anyway. The more success you have, the more your new owner gets hooked, and the better for all."

Ashley witnessed goals from N'Zogbia and Mark Viduka earn a 2-2 draw, but he also saw injuries to both Stephen Carr and Peter Ramage.

Carr could be out for more than a month after he injured his hamstring within the opening five minutes, and Ramage, the player who replaced him, faces an equally lengthy absence after he hurt his knee following a second-half tumble.

"We'll have to have a look at those injury situations (later today) and see whether that takes us into the market on a more ferocious basis this week," said Allardyce, who was forced to play Steven Taylor as a makeshift right-back for the final half-hour. "I think it might have to.

"I'm well short now defensively, and that's where my biggest problems have been all summer. We're back there again now because of two injuries, and it's typical that you get injuries in the one area where you're short.

"We're certainly short in that area, and we've picked up not just one, but two injuries in that area. With the window shutting soon, I think we'll have to have a good look around."

Allardyce felt that his Newcastle side had done enough to win, but admitted that their defensive frailties had prevented them from claiming their second victory of the season.

"We're bitterly disappointed that we've not clinched the three points," he added. "But once you get in front twice, whether you're playing at home or away, you should never surrender it. There might be an excuse the first time, but not the second.

"We've conceded two goals and that's totally out of order, especially when you've been in front twice. It's absolutely unacceptable. If we want to be successful, we're going to have to cut that out. Hopefully, this will be the last time we see that sort of situation appearing."

Albert Luque's ill-fated spell at Newcastle has come to an end after he signed a three-year contract at Dutch side Ajax and moved for an undisclosed fee.