Scotland v Serbia: Allan McGregor's swift return from injury hands Craig Levein's men a timely boost

Having been written off for Scotland’s first four World Cup qualifying games, the news that Allan McGregor will start against Serbia at Hampden on Saturday has greatly heartened Craig Levein and his staff.
Although the manager last week expressed confidence in McGregor’s two deputies – Matt Gilks of Blackpool and Cardiff City’s David Marshall – the recovery of the first choice keeper from the groin injury he sustained in last month’s friendly against Australia at Easter Road is a significant positive as Scotland open their campaign against capable and physical opponents in the first of a double header that will also see them at home to Macedonia next Tuesday.

McGregor kept a clean sheet for Besiktas in their win away to Karabukspor on Saturday and the 30 year-old will get his 23rd cap against the Serbs.

“I thought big Matt would probably have started the match but the experience of Allan McGregor is huge for us because he’s come over the distance and played in many, many major games – and they don’t come any bigger than Saturday’s game,” said Peter Houston, Levein’s assistant.

“When he got the injury against Australia the concern was that he was going to be ruled out even for the October game – so whatever they’ve done over there in Turkey, they’ve done well.

“He’s one of the best goalies about and I’ve said that for some time. You don’t realise how good he is until you work close with him. Hopefully he won’t have a lot to do on Saturday.
“It makes a huge difference to the defence, the back four – assuming the manager’s going to play a back four – that he’s there because of his experience of top level matches with Rangers and Scotland. Confidence comes from having somebody strong behind you and Allan’s up there with the best of them.

“You can knock it back to him. He’s decent on the ground, he can pass it out, he can lump it forward – he’s not fazed by pass-backs. When we were talking about the squad the other day Jim Stewart told us he’d be ready and I must say it put a big smile on my face. I always thought it could be a blow because of the inexperience of the other goalkeepers.

"I’d have been confident if Gilksie had been the man that was picked but having Allan back is that bit special and I’m delighted.

"The club obviously injected him and Allan must have felt better – and that’s the most important thing. If he had been injected and didn’t feel right he wouldn’t have played, whether the club had wanted to play him or not.

"Obviously the injury can’t be as bad as the scan first showed. He’s come through with flying colours. I spoke to Allan last night when he arrived and he felt brilliant – as long as he feels brilliant for the next 10 days.”

One player who has yet to join the squad is Kenny Miller – the Vancouver Whitecaps striker is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday morning – and his presence is, on past evidence, as important to the Scots in attack as McGregor at the back. Miller’s tally of 16 international goals exceeds by four the combined total of all the other seven scorers in the squad.

Houston nevertheless is satisfied that there is sufficient menace around the team to discomfit Serbia. “Well, we scored three against Australia in the last game and Kenny wasn’t anywhere to be seen,” he said.

“Against Slovenia it was Berra who scored – so there are goals in the team. It’s not down to Kenny Miller and Kenny Miller alone. Look at the players who are in the squad. Charlie Adams is scoring goals for his team, James Morrison’s doing it for his, Graham Dorrans is always a threat, James Forrest does it for Celtic.

“What they have to do is make sure that they’re in the team. Even in set plays we’ve got players who can do it. As long as we’ve got one more goal than Serbia on Saturday I’ll be delighted, whether it’s Kenny Miller or someone else who scores it.”

One man who would like to be granted a central attacking role is James Mackie. The QPR forward has already netted twice for his country in five outings but is evidently a frustrated centre-forward.

“I’m having this constant battle the whole time as I play a lot of time out wide for QPR and I’ve had discussions with the manager there about my best position being right down the middle,” he said.

“I know the competition here – as it is at my club – is very competitive but I feel that’s my best position. However, playing in a three, I’ve done it a lot and really enjoy it so I haven’t really got a problem with that.

“I’ll play anywhere to do well but I feel my strongest position is down the middle. Kenny’s scored a lot of goals at international level but there’s a lot of competition coming through with Jordan Rhodes who did well in the friendly against Australia and Ross McCormack also scoring.

“It is a chance to stake a claim to be playing up there as well. However, I’m not really playing there for my club so it’s a hard one for me.

“I would love the chance to play up front but it’s not about me – it’s about what’s best for the squad. I have had a discussion with Craig Levein about playing down the middle in the past and I’ve had the chance to play there for Scotland, but the last couple of times I’ve played in a three and enjoyed that as well.

“I’m sure this week we’ll have a discussion and see where I fit in and where he feels I’m best for him. Every manager will have a different view and I’m fully prepared to play where I’m asked to.”

El Hadji Diouf now in Neil Warnock's good books by scoring Leeds United's opening goal

Once compared to a sewer rat, El Hadji Diouf says he will become “a legend” if he can help Leeds achieve promotion to the Premier League.
Diouf has signed a short-term contract until January at Elland Road – a deal concluded by manager Neil Warnock, who made the unflattering comparison of the striker to a rodent when in charge of Queens Park Rangers. The Senegalese responded by scoring Leeds’ first goal in a 3-3 thriller with Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

“I’m so happy,” enthused Diouf. "Leeds United are one of my dreams. I used to like Leeds when Cantona used to play here – the atmosphere is amazing.”

He added: “If I can get promoted with Leeds into the Premier League, I will be a legend in England.”

Blackburn manager Steve Kean, though, was adamant that Diouf’s goal should not have stood, claiming the forward fouled Paul Robinson. “The turning point was the blatant foul on Robinson,” he said. “He can’t come for the ball to punch because the attacker is jumping into him.”

Diouf’s effort reduced the arrears after Markus Olsson and Nuno Gomes had put Blackburn ahead. Ross McCormack put Leeds in front before Ruben Rochina equalised.
Elsewhere, Leicester striker Jamie Vardy refuted Ian Holloway’s claims that he dived to win a crucial penalty in his side’s 1-0 win over Blackpool.Holloway alleged that Vardy had conned referee Mike Jones into awarding a second-half spot-kick, which Ben Marshall converted.

Holloway called it “absolutely hopeless” and accused Vardy of diving under Tiago Gomes’ challenge. But Vardy said: “There was definitely contact.”

Nike Oshinowo's reason for not going to church raises eyebrows

That Nike Oshinowo is beautiful is no news, but her recent statement that she doesn't go to church because she causes distractions is a little controversial .Maybe it was just an innocent statement,maybe people are reading deeper meanings to it than already is.

“Anytime I enter a church people are always quick to notice me and some may not even concentrate on the service anymore as I always become the center of attraction in such cases. And this also distracts me. Therefore I have preferred to stay at home and worship God, rather than to keep causing unnecessary distractions in church.”

Hmmmn isn't this a little too confident?#justasking#

Premier League Transfer Talk

Arsenal

Arsene Wenger is planning a move to bring in Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien on-loan. (Daily Mail)

Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko could be involved in a part-exchange deal in the club's attempt to sign Theo Walcott. (Metro)

England international Theo Walcott has rejected a new contract, sparking interest from Liverpool and Manchester City. (Telegraph)

In: Olivier Giroud (Montpellier, £12m), Lukas Podoloski (Cologne, £11.9m), Santi Cazorla (Malaga, £16.5m) Out: Alex Song (Barcelona, £15m), Robin van Persie (Manchester United, £22m), Carlos Vela (Real Socieded, £6m), Manuel Almunia (Watford, free), Tom Cruise (Torquay, free), Ben Glasgow (Stoke, free), Gavin Hoyte (Dagenham & Redbridge, free), Jeffrey Monakana (Preston, free), Rhys Murphy (Telstar, free), Oguzhan Ozyakup (Besiktas, undisclosed), Pedro Botelho (Atlético Paranaense, free), Sean McDermott (Sandnes Ulf, free), Alban Bunjaku (Sevilla, free), George Brislen-Hall (Norwich, free), James Campbell (Dundee United, free), Benif Afobe (Bolton, loan), Denilson (Sao Paulo, loan), Joel Campbell (Real Betis, loan), Ryo Miyaichi (Wigan, loan), James Campbell (released), Sean McDermott (released), Daniel Boateng (Oxford, loan), Henri Lansbury (Nottingham Forest, undisclosed)

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Aston Villa

Late deals for Christian Benteke from Genk and Dale Stephens from Charlton are still on the cards for Paul Lambert. (Daily Mirror)

Paul Lambert is set to increase his bid for Genk striker Christian Benteke, along with bidding for Chesterfield's 21-year-old striker Jordan Bowery. (Press Association)

Middlesbrough left-back Joe Bennett could be joining for £2.75 million, which would push Stephen Warnock closer to the exit. (Daily Mail)
In: Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord, £3m), Matthew Lowton (Sheffield United, £4m), Brett Holman (AZ Alkmaar, free), Karim El Ahmadi (Feyenoord, £2.5m) Out: Emile Heskey (released), Carlos Cuellar (Sunderland, free), James Collins (West Ham, £2.5m), Connor Taylor (Walsall, free), Reece Caira (Western Sydney Wanderers, free), Andy Marshall (released), Jean Makoun (Rennes)
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Chelsea
Daniel Sturridge looks set to be sent out on-loan to enable the arrival of Andre Schurrie. (Guardian)
Porto have turned down a €50 million (£39.5 million) offer from Zenit St. Petersburg for Chelsea target Hulk. (TalkSPORT)
Fenerbahce could be set for a double swoop on the Blues with an £8 million bid for Michael Essien and a separate move for Raul Meireles. (Daily Mail)
In: Cesar Azpilicueta (Marseille, £6m), Victor Moses (Wigan, £9m), Eden Hazard (Lille, £32m), Marko Marin (Werder Bremen, £7m) Oscar (Internacional, £25m), George Brady (Cannes, £250,000), Thorgan Hazard (Lens, undisclosed), Cesar Azpilicueta (Marseille, £6.5m), Victor Moses (Wigan, undisclosed) Out: Didier Drogba (Shanghai Shenhua, free), Salomon Kalou (Lille, free), Jacob Mellis (Barnsley, free), Marko Mitrovic (Brescia, free), Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid, loan), Rohan Ince (Yeovil, loan), Jeffrey Bruma (Hamburg, loan), Patrick van Aanholt (Vitesse Arnhem, loan), Tomas Kalas (Vitesse Arnhem, loan), Ulises Dávila (Sabadell, loan), Jhon Pírez (Sabadel, loan), Milan Lalkovic (Vitoria Guimaraes, loan), Matej Delac (Vitoria Guimaraes, loan), Kenneth Omeruo (ADO Den Haag), Kevin De Bruyne (Werder Bremen, loan), Ben Gordon (Birmingham, loan), Romelu Lukaku (WBA, loan), Sam Walker (Bristol Rovers, loan), Jose Bosingwa (released), Josh McEachran (Middlesbrough, loan), Archange Nkumu (Yeovil, loan)
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Everton
Blackburn midfielder Steven N'Zonzi is a late target after the midfielder fell out with manager Steve Kean. (Daily Mirror)
Assistant manager Steve Round is adamant that Leighton Baines will not leave the club during the transfer window. (Independent)
AC Milan have beaten the Toffees to the signing of M'Baye Niang. (Independent)
In: Kevin Mirallas (Olympiakos, £6m), Steven Naismith (Rangers, tribunal), Steven Pienaar (Tottenham, £4.5m) Out: Jack Rodwell (Man City, £12m), Tim Cahill (NY Red Bulls, £1m), Adam Forshaw (Brentford, undisclosed), James McFadden (released), Marcus Hahnemann (released), James Wallace (Tranmere, undisclosed) Joseph Yobo (Fenerbahce, £2m), Femi Orenuga (released), Adam Forshaw (Brentford, free), Aristote Nsiala (Accrington Stanley, free)
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Fulham
Martin Jol is keen to bring in another striker along with Sunderland midfielder Kieran Richardson. (Fulham Chronicle)
Attempts to bring in Mark Noble from West Ham as a replacement for Moussa Dembele have failed. (Goal.com)
Martin Jol has bid £6.5 million for Lyon striker Bafetimbi Gomis. (Daily Mail)
In: Mladen Petric (Hamburg, free), George Williams (MK Dons, undisclosed), Hugo Rodallega (Wigan, free), Sascha Riether (Cologne, loan) Out: Andrew Johnson (QPR, free), Danny Murphy (Blackburn, free), Bjorn Helge Riise (Lillestrom SK), Orlando Sa (AEL Limassol, free), Dickson Etuhu (Blackburn, £1.5m), Marcel Gecov (AA Gent, undisclosed)
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Liverpool
With Andy Carroll now on-loan, Liverpool are set to pursue a loan deal for Daniel Sturridge. (Liverpool Echo)
Andy Carroll's potential departure could signal a move for Athletic Bilbao and Spain striker Fernando Llorente. (The Sun)
A move for Theo Walcott has become a sudden possibility after the Arsenal forward's contract talks broke down. (Telegraph)
In: Nuri Sahin (Real Madrid, loan), Oussama Assaidi (Heerenveen, £3m), Joe Allen (Swansea City, £15m), Fabio Borini (Roma, £10m) Out: Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbache, £1m) Fabio Aurelio (Gremio, free) David Amoo (Preston North End, free), Stephen Darby (Bradford City, free), Maxi Rodriguez (Newell's Old Boys, undisclosed), Alberto Aquilani (Fiorentina, £6m), Craig Bellamy (Cardiff City, free), Toni Silva (Barnsley, free), Lewis Hatch (Accrington Stanley, free), Joe Rafferty (Rochdale, free), Connor Wearing (Shrewsbury, free)
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Manchester City
Roberto Mancini is set to make a deadline-day move for Benfica's Javi Garcia. (Telegraph)
Brazilian international Maicon remains on City's radar, with a bid before the end of the transfer window a possibility. (The Guardian)
City could be tempted to battle Liverpool for Theo Walcott's signature after the striker refused a new Arsenal contract. (Telegraph)
In: Jack Rodwell (Everton, £12m), Vlad Marin (Lazio, undisclosed), Jules Olivier Ntcham (Le Havre, undisclosed) Out: Emmanuel Adebayor (Tottenham, £9m), Stuart Taylor (Manchester City, free), Owen Hargreaves (released), Stuart Taylor (Reading, free), Wayne Bridge (Brighton, loan), Greg Cunningham (Bristol City, undisclosed), Vladimir Weiss (Pescara, £1.3m), Gai Assulin (Racing Santander, free), Ahmed Benali (Brescia, free), Andrea Mancini (Real Valladolid, free), Omar Elabdellaoui (Feyenoord, loan), Harry Bunn (Crewe, loan), Adam Johnson (Sunderland, undisclosed)
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Manchester United
David Gill has confirmed that Wayne Rooney will not be sold for "any price". (ESPN)
The sale of Dimitar Berbatov could see United make a £27 million loss on their record signing. (Independent)
Wayne Rooney fears that he could be offloaded in a £40 million move. (Mirror)
In: Nick Powell (Crewe, £2.75m rising to £4m) Shinji Kagawa (Dortmund, £17m), Robin van Persie (Arsenal, £22m), Alexander Buttner (Vitesse Arnhem, undisclosed) Out: Tomasz Kuszczak (Brighton, free), Michael Owen (released), Ritchie De Laet (Leicester, undisclosed), Matty James (Leicester, £2m combined), Fabio da Silva (QPR, loan), Park Ji-sung (QPR, £2.5m), Ben Amos (Hull City, loan), Paul Pogba (Juventus, free), Febian Brandy (Walsall, free), Liam Jacob (Oldham, free), Oliver Norwood (Huddersfield, free), Reece Brown (Coventry, loan), John Cofie (Sheffield United, loan), Sean McGinty (Oxford United, loan, Joe Coll (released)
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Newcastle United
Long-time target Mathieu Debuchy is a late target for both Newcastle and Real Madrid. (Here Is The City)
Newcastle have finished their pursuits of Gregory Van Der Weil and Mathieu Debuchy as they continue to chase Andy Carroll. (The Journal)
Alan Pardew could accept bids for Fabricio Coloccini and Cheick Tiote if the offer is high enough. (Independent)
In: Vurnon Anita (Ajax, £6.6m), Romain Amalfitano (Reims, free), Gael Bigirimana (Coventry, £1m), Curtis Good (Melbourne Heart, £400,000) Out: Philip Airey (released), Ryan Donaldson (released), Danny Guthrie (released), Tamas Kadar (released), Peter Lovenkrands (released), Alan Smith (released), Leon Best (Blackburn, £3m), Fraser Forster (Celtic, £2m), Daniel Taylor (Oldham, free), Michael Hoganson (Derby County, free), Lee Toland (Glenavon, free), Louis Storey (Accrington, free), Billy Ions (Leeds, free), Jeff Henderson (Sligo, free), Alex Baird (released), Ryan Donaldson (released), Samuel Adjei (released), Stephen Folan (released), Greg McDermott (released), Patrick Nzuzi (released), Ryan McGorrigan (released), Ben Sayer (released)
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Norwich City
The Canaries could make a late move for Brighton striker Craig Mackail-Smith. (Norwich Evening News 24)
Goalkeeper Mark Bunn has joined the club from Blackburn. (BBC Sport)
Chris Hughton is closing in on Argentinian midfielder Lucas Biglia. (Mirror)
In: Alexander Tetty (Rennes, undisclosed), Steven Whittaker (Rangers, free), Jacob Butterfield (Barnsley, tribunal), Michael Turner (Sunderland, £1.5m), Robert Snodgrass (Leeds, £3m), George Brislen-Hall (Arsenal, free), Javier Garrido (Lazio, loan), Sebastien Bassong (Tottenham, undisclosed) Out: Zak Whitbread (released), Aaron Wilbraham (released), Josh Dawkin (released), Adam Drury (Leeds, free), Andrew Crofts (Brighton, undisclosed), Daniel Ayala (Nottingham Forest, loan), Matthew Ball (released)
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Queens Park Rangers
Marseille midfielder Stephane Mbia has said he is on his way to QPR. (The Sun)
After signing Cesar, Mark Hughes is now targeting Real Madrid star Granero. (Daily Mail)
Rubin Kazan star defender Cristian Ansaldi could be target for QPR and West Brom. (Sun)
In: Jose Bosingwa (Chelsea, free), Park Ji-sung (Manchester United, £2.5m), Samba Diakité (Nancy, £4m), Robert Green (West Ham, free), Ryan Nelsen (Tottenham, free), Andrew Johnson (Fulham, free), Fabio (Manchester United, loan), Junior Hoilett (Blackburn, free) Out: Peter Ramage (Crystal Palace, free), Danny Gabbidon (released), Danny Shittu (released), Fitz Hall (released), Gary Borrowdale (released), Lee Cook (Leyton Orient, free), Rowan Vine (St Johnstone, free), Patrick Agyemang (released), Akos Buzsaky (released) Heidar Helguson (Cardiff, undisclosed), Paddy Kenny (Leeds, £500,000), Danny Shittu (Millwall, free), Clint Hill (released), Bruno Perone (released), Tommy Smith (Cardiff, undisclosed)
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Reading
Wales striker Simon Church remains a late loan target for Ipswich Town. (Examiner)
Brian McDermott has ruled any more potential signings, although Simon Church could leave the club on loan. (Sky Sports)
A move for West Ham's Carlton Cole could be on the cards as Brian McDermott is interested in a £5m move for the striker. (Mirror)
In: Stuart Taylor (Manchester City, free), Pierce Sweeney (Bray Wanderers, undisclosed), Pavel Pogrebnyak (Stuttgart, free), Danny Guthrie (Newcastle, free), Garath McCleary (Nottingham Forest, free), Nicky Shorey (West Brom, free), Chris Gunter (Nottingham Forest, £2m rising to £2.3m), Adrian Mariappa (Watford, £3m) Out: Mathieu Manset (FC Sion, undisclosed), Michail Antonio (Sheffield Wednesday, undisclosed), Tomasz Cywka (Barnsley, free), Michael Hector (Shrewsbury, loan), Angus MacDonald (AFC Wimbledon, loan), Joseph Mills (Burnley, loan), Karl Sheppard (Accrington, loan), Gozie Ugwu (Yeovil, loan), Brett williams (Woking, loan), Cédric Baseya (released), Andy Griffin (released), Brian Howard (released), Jack Mills (released), Jacob Walcott (released), Ethan Gage (released), Cameron Edwards (released).
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Southampton
Blackpool's Matt Phillips could still move to St.Mary's before the deadline. (Blackpool Gazette)
Saints are working "exceptionally hard" with negotiations to bring in 21-year old Gaston Ramirez. (CrunchSports)
Villa are after Saints striker Rickie Lambert and are possibly lining up a move for the 30-year-old. (Mirror)
In: Jay Rodriguez (Burnley, £7m), Alexander Buttner (Vitesse Arnhem, £3m), Steven Davis (Rangers, £800,000), Paulo Gazzaniga (Gillingham, £2m), Nathaniel Clyne (Crystal Palace, £2.5m), Emmanuel Mayuka (Young Boys Berne, undisclosed) Out: Dan Harding (Nottingham Forest, undisclosed), Harlee Dean (Brentford, free), Ryan Doble (Shrewsbury, free), Jack Dovey (Eastleigh, free), Lee Holmes(Preston, free), Bartosz Bialkowski (Notts County, free), Tommy Forecast (Gillingham, loan), Aaron Martin (Crystal Palace, loan), David Connolly (released), Radhi Jaidi (retired).
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Stoke City
Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam has arrived at Stoke for medical ahead of a £4m move. (Daily Mail)
Arsenal striker Nicolas Bendtner has been offered to Stoke on loan. (This Is Staffordshire)
Tony Pulis is to revive his bid for Tom Huddlestone after protracted negotiations with Spurs. (Stoke Sentinel)
In: Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo, £2.5m), Ben Glasgow (Arsenal, free), Jamie Ness (Rangers, free), Goran Popov (Dynamo Kiev, loan), Michael Kightly (Wolverhampton Wanderers, £3m) Out: Danny Collins (Nottingham Forest, £500,000), Andrew Davies (Bradford City, free), Jonathan Woodgate (Middlesbrough, free), Ryan Brunt (Leyton Orient, loan), Florent Cuvelier (Walsall, loan), Matthew Lund (Bristol Rovers, loan). Salif Diao Ricardo Fuller (released), Louis Moult (released), Tom Soares (released), Michael Tonge (released).
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Sunderland
Tottenham's Danny Rose is seen as an ideal replacement for the departing Kieran Richardson. (Daily Mirror)
The Black Cats are considering a late move for Liverpool winger Stewart Downing. (Caught Offside)
Martin O'Neill could hijack Liverpool's bid for Fulham's Clint Dempsey (TalkSPORT)
In: Louis Saha (free agent), Carlos Cuellar (Aston Villa, free), David Ferguson (Darlington, free), Wade Joyce (Bury, free), Adam Johnson (Manchester City, undisclosed), Steven Fletcher (Wolves, £12m) Out: Asomoah Gyan (Al-Ain, £6m), Michael Turner (Norwich, £1.5m), Cristian Riveros (Kayserispor, £240,000), Marcos Angeleri (Estudiantes, undisclosed), Trevor Carson (Bury, free), Jordan Cook (Charlton, free), Michael Liddle (Accrington, free), George McCartney (West Ham, free), Liam Bagnall (released), James Brace (released), Brett Elliott (released), Craig Gordon (released), Lewis King (released), Jordan Lavender (released), Oumare Tounkara (released)
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Swansea City
Despite a busy summer the club could still make a move for Dutch ace Jerson Cabral. (This Is South Wales)
A bid for Valencia winger and Spain international Pablo Hernandez has been successful. (Daily Mirror)
Crewe captain Ashley Westwood could be set for a move to the Liberty. (Daily Mail)
In: Ki Sung-Yeung (Celtic, undisclosed), Jamie Proctor (Preston, undisclosed), Jose Manuel Flores (Genoa, £2m), Jonathan de Guzman (Villarreal, loan), Michu (Rayo Vallecano, £2m), Kyle Bartley (Arsenal, £1m), Ki Sung-Yeung (Celtic, £6m). Out: Joe Allen (Liverpool, £15m), Ferrie Bodde (released), Casey Thomas released), Joe Walsh (Crawley, free), Jose Moreira (released), Scott Donnelly (released)
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Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs will have to break their transfer record to sign Joao Moutinho according to Porto's president. (Daily Mail)
Spurs have had a £11.9 million bid for Willian rejected, but are also interested in his Shakhtar team-mates Fernandinho and Douglas. (Goal.com)
AVB is particularly interested in Joao Moutinho due to his Portuguese links and is close to completing the Moussa Dembele deal. (Mirror)
In: Moussa Dembele (Fulham, £15m), Emmanuel Adebayor (Tottenham, £5m), Jan Vertonghen (Ajax, £9.5m), Gylfi Sigurdsson (Hoffenheim, £8m) Out: Sebastien Bassong (Norwich City, undisclosed), Niko Kranjcar (Dynamo Kiev, £5.75m), Vedran Corluka (Lokomotiv Moscow, £5.5m), Steven Pienaar (Everton, £4.5m), Lee Angol (Wycombe, undisclosed), Ben Alnwick (Barnsley, free), Ryan Nelsen (QPR, free), Oscar Jansson (Shamrock Rovers, free), Bongani Khumalo (PAOK Salonika, loan), Massimo Luongo (Ipswich, loan), Louis Saha (released), Ledley King (retired), Daniel Button (Charlton, undisclosed), Luka Modric (Real Madrid, £30m)
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West Bromwich Albion
The Baggies are planning a late raid for Blackburn defender Martin Olsson. (The Sun)
Former West Brom midfielder Giles Barnes is set to join MLS side Houston Dynamo. (Tribal Football)
Rubin Kazan's Argentinian Cristian Ansaldi is on Steve Clarke's radar as the transfer deadline looms. (Sun)
In: Ben Foster (Birmingham, £4m), Yassine El Ghanassy (AA Gent, loan), Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea, loan), Markus Rosenberg (Werder Bremen, free), Claudio Yacob (Racing Club de Avellaneda) Out: Somen Tchoyi (released), Simon Cox (Nottingham Forest, £2m), Keith Andrews (Bolton, free), Paul Downing (Walsall, free), Marton Fulop (Astera Tripolis, free), Joey Mattock (Sheffield Wednesday, free), Nicky Shorey (Reading, free), Lateef Elford-Alliyu (Bury, free), Paul Scharner (Hamburg, free), Jamie Edge (released), Somen Tchoyi (released)
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West Ham United
Despite bringing in Andy Carroll the club are looking to add another forward in Ajax striker Miralem Sulejmani. (Goal.com)
A move for Andy Carroll is still on the cards for West Ham. (Daily Mail)
West Ham are ready to make a sensational bid to bring Joe Cole home to Upton Park. (Daily Star)
In: Modibo Maiga (Sochaux, £4.7m), James Collins (Aston Villa, £2.5m), Alou Diarra (Marseille, £2m), Stephen Henderson (Portsmouth, undisclosed), Raphael Spiegel (Grasshopper, undisclosed), Mohamed Diamé (Wigan, free), Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton, free), George McCartney (Sunderland, free), Matt Jarvis (Wolves, £10.75m) Out: Sam Baldock (Bristol City, undisclosed), Sam Cowler (Barnet, undisclosed), Jordan Brown (Barnet, free), Julien Faubert (Elazigspor, free), Abdoulaye Faye (Hull, free), Robert Green (QPR, free), Oliver Lee (Barnet, free), Frank Nouble (Wolves, free), Freddie Sears (Colchester, free), Marek Stech (Yeovil, free), Ravel Morrison (Birmingham, loan) John Carew (released), Papa Bouba Diop (released), Peter Kurucz (released)
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Wigan Athletic
Young Wigan striker Callum McManaman could be a late loan option for Burnley. (Burnley Express)
Wigan are to launch a bid for 24-year-old Bolton winger Lee Chung-yong who could be available for £7million. (Mail)
Roberto Di Matteo has thanked Wigan boss Roberto Martinez for making new signing Victor Moses the player he is after he left the Latics. (Sun)
In: Ivan Ramis (Real Mallorca, £4.5m), Ryo Miyaichi (Arsenal, loan), Arouna Kone (Levante, £2.7m), Fraser Fyvie (Aberdeen, £450,000) Out: Conor Sammon (Derby Undisclosed), Mohamed Diamé (West Ham, free), Chris Kirkland (Sheffield Wednesday, free), Hugo Rodallega (Fulham, free), Lee Nicholls (Northampton, loan), Adam Dawson (Accrington, loan), Ryan Watson (Accrington, loan), Mike Pollitt (released), Hendry Thomas (released), Steve Gohouri (released), Victor Moses (Chelsea, undisclosed)
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Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger relaxed as transfer window prepares to close

Arsène Wenger has launched a renewed and impassioned defence of his transfer strategy as Arsenal again head towards the closure of a window in profit on their player trading.

It has been a familiar pattern for Wenger to at least break even in the transfer market since moving to the Emirates in 2005 and, after the early expenditure for Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla, he has since more than covered that outlay by selling Robin van Persie and Alex Song.

Wenger said that he might still spend today if a “top, top player” became available, and has made inquiries about Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, although the approach is likely to be rebuffed, but he also stressed that he regarded the squad as strong enough to challenge for major trophies.

It is an assessment that is likely to frustrate many Arsenal fans, especially as Wenger acknowledged that the club did have money available in their transfer budget.

“I am relaxed,” said Wenger. “We have enough players, that is for sure, but you want always to improve your squad. We have resources available so if it is not happening now it will happen in December. But we believe strongly that we have the quality in our squad to do very well.

“We bought Cazorla, Podolski and Giroud so you cannot say we have not bought but, when you listen to people, you always have to buy more.

Asked what could really strengthen the squad, Wenger pointed to the treatment room and the long-awaited returns of Jack Wilshere, Bacary Sagna and Tomas Rosicky.

“Getting our injured players back is the best way for us to strengthen the squad,” he said. “We do not just want to bring average players in. Spending in itself is not a quality. Buying good players is a quality, better players than you have is a quality.”

Wenger also outlined his confidence that Theo Walcott would sign a new contract, despite allowing the 23 year-old to enter the final year of his current deal.

“His situation is simple – that he will stay with us and play for us,” said Wenger. “At the moment it is very difficult to predict what we will do. He loves the club, and maybe we can find an agreement at some stage.

"Theo is 23. He’s English, he basically lives 10 minutes from here. So hopefully we can find an agreement.

“He’s not money obsessed. He does not say, ‘it’s that, or not’. There are little differences in negotiations that can happen. He is developing very well. He is intelligent, a good finisher.”

Walcott has been offered a five-year contract worth £75,000-a-week but, mindful of the going rate for comparable England internationals, is hoping for a deal closer to £100,000 a week.

Wenger, though, indicated that there were clear boundaries for a player of Walcott’s age compared to more experienced professionals.

“It was never a hard line approach [with Walcott], always a soft line approach but with the respect of our wage structure,” said Wenger.

“Every decision we have a general line of conduct that is our wage structure that we want to respect. If we don’t do that we will go nowhere. It is of course different for a 29 year-old player than for a 23 year-old player.”

Wenger is confident that Walcott is “focused and committed” ahead of Sunday’s match against Liverpool, when Laurent Koscielny will be in contention to return to the central defence. Wojciech Szczesny will have a fitness test on Saturday to determine his availability.

Liverpool make loan move for Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge having been frustrated in attempt to sign Clint Dempsey

Liverpool have made a loan bid for Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge in a frantic deadline day effort to replace Andy Carroll. Carroll has joined West Ham for the season after accepting his best chance of playing regularly this season was to leave Anfield.

His former club then began negotiations with Sturridge having earlier been thwarted in a fresh attempt to sign Clint Dempsey from Fulham.

Fulham agreed to sell the American for cash plus Jordan Henderson, but the Liverpool midfielder turned down the move.

Dempsey is now more likely to join Sunderland unless Rodgers can raise more funds to meet an £7m valuation. Arsenal are also believed to be watching Dempsey's situation.

In the meantime, Rodgers has switched his attentions to Sturridge, who would need to complete a medical in Monaco ahead of Chelsea 's Super Cup final if he is to join Liverpool.

Andy Carroll leaves Liverpool to join West Ham United on season-long loan deal

Liverpool striker Andy Carroll has joined West Ham United on a year's loan after the striker reluctantly accepted his best chance of playing regular football this season was to leave Anfield.

Carroll's exit heralded the start of a hectic final 24 hours in the transfer window at Anfield.

He underwent a medical at Upton Park on Thursday night, but there will be no guarantee of a permanent deal at the end of his spell in London after Liverpool agreed to amend the terms of an earlier offer. There will now only be an option to buy the player rather than a commitment to do so.

The softening of Carroll's stance was key to the opening of fresh talks between Liverpool and West Ham. He originally wanted to stay, but having been left out of the squad for the Europa League qualifier with Hearts on Thursday, the 23 year-old opened up to the possibility of a move to Upton Park.

Carroll's position shifted after he was left in no uncertain terms that his career could stagnate on Merseyside.

Last night, Carroll said: "I want to be playing games and obviously hoping to score some goals. I know the manager well and some of the lads, so it is nice for me to come to a place where I know people.

"I'm hoping to add a lot of goals and create a few chances. I know Sam from Newcastle and he was a massive reason for me coming. When I worked with him at Newcastle it was great so it was a no-brainer really."

Allardyce added: "I think for all parties this is a great signing. Andy is an all-round footballer, but because he is 6ft 3in and one of his strengths is his aerial power, everybody dismisses the ability he possesses on the floor.

"Hopefully he can score goals for us and we will be in a very good position at the end of the year in the Barclays Premier League."

Carroll close friend, Kevin Nolan, is at Upton Park and he shares an agent with manager Sam Allardyce. His preference was to remain at Anfield and fight for his place, but Rodgers said Liverpool "couldn't afford to keep a £35 million striker on the bench".

The only complication was the terms of the deal. Since making their initial bid which would have led to a permanent £17 million deal if they avoided relegation, West Ham have invested in their squad, including the £11 million signing of Matt Jarvis from Wolves. They could no longer afford a commitment to sign Carroll at the end of the season, but Rodgers' willingness to remove the bulk of an £80,000 a week salary off his wage bill meant he was happy to renegotiate.

Rodgers said: "It is very simple: the club made a monumental investment in big Andy and at this moment in time he's not playing. He made it clear from when we first met in the summer that he wants to play games and obviously [with the window closing] this is the last chance for him to go and do that."

Liverpool added another teenager to their ranks on Thursday, signing 18-year-old German Youth International Samed Yesil from Bayer Leverkusen for £1 million.

Liverpool also expect Charlie Adam to leave for £5 million, with Stoke City the front-runners, while Jay Spearing could go out on loan. QPR, Bolton, Aston Villa and Southampton are all interested.

Fulham paved the way for Dempsey's departure by agreeing a £5 million deal for Manchester United's Dimitar Berbatov. Berbatov pulled out of a move to Serie A side Fiorentina, failing to attend a medical, in order to conclude his transfer to Craven Cottage.

"Berbatov is finishing his medical and if everything is good he will be one of our players," said Fulham manager Martin Jol, who worked with the Bulgarian during their time together at Tottenham.