"We will almost certainly have to do something as we have five African players and they will possibly be going to the African Nations Cup in January and that is a big loss for us," Allardyce told Sky Sports News. "We have got to try and cope with that and keep our results up.
"The trouble is in January it is the worst time for anyone to do business, such a short period in the middle of the season, and generally most clubs don't want to lose their best players.
"The ones who are available have not played for a while and it takes a while to get them fit, so by the time you get them fit the season is nearly over.
"Like I say, it is a poor period to do business, but because we have five players away we will have to try and do something."