* Liverpool are on the verge of signing Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones on loan, with the 25-year-old Trinidad and Tobago star seen as perfect cover for the injured Fernando Torres.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has though ruled out a straight swap between Ryan Babel and Jones and insists Rafa Benitez must break the bank if he wants the Black Cats striker.

Bruce said: "The one thing I am trying to do is build the squad and build the squad to improve. The last thing I want to be doing is trade or anything like that."

* Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan is set to swoop for former Manchester City goalkeeper Nicky Weaver, who is a free agent after leaving Dundee United.

* Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp could make a new and final move to sign goalkeeper David James - and save some money for Portsmouth, who are in huge debt and currently have a transfer embargo. Stoke ended their interest in James last week.

* Brazilian Robinho looks to be heading out of Manchester City after suffering the embarrassment of being substituted by manager Roberto Mancini 51 minutes after coming off the bench at Everton.

* Notts County could be set to swoop for York City’s striker Richard Brodie.

* Chelsea want to keep hold of midfielder Joe Cole, who is out of contract at the end of the season. The England star has been linked with a summer move to Tottenham. Blues chairman Bruce Buck said: "I am personally a big fan of Joe Cole and we are in discussions with his agent and hopefully that will be sorted out soon."

* Cash-strapped West Ham have slapped a staggering £15m price tag on England midfielder Scott Parker.

* Craig Gardner is set to move from Aston Villa to Birmingham.

* Bolton boss Owen Coyle could turn his attentions to Newcastle’s long-serving striker Shola Ameobi with Trotters legend Kevin Davies a £5m target for Fulham.

Roy Hodgson is set to move for Davies with Clint Dempsey expected to be out for the rest of the season as a result of the knee injury suffered at Blackburn on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Newcastle could be set to take on Peruvian striker Nolberto Solano for a third time after missing out on Jermaine Beckford, who has decided to stay with Leeds.

* Liverpool are battling with AC Milan over the services of striker Milan Jovanovic, 28, who is out of contract at Standard Liege at the end of the season.

* Dundee United have rejected a £75,000 bid from Blackpool for Scotland's 21-year-old centre-half Garry Kenneth.

* Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand could make a shock return against neighbours Manchester City in the Carling Cup semi-final on Tuesday. It would be the England star's first game in three months after struggling with a back problem.

* Premier League referee Mark Halsey is looking to be back in action within four weeks as he continues his battle with throat cancer. The 48-year-old said: "I didn't realise how popular I was as a ref but I suppose when I come back I won't be so popular!"

* Swindon Town scoring sensation Charlie Austin, who has set League One alight since moving from non-league Poole Town, is a target for Huddersfield Town.