A hectic countdown to the Barclays Premiership’s transfer deadline was in the offing as deals for Craig Bellamy, Andy Reid and Michael Dawson remained in the balance.

Craig Bellamy’s decision to snub a £6m (€8.7m) move from Newcastle to Birmingham was the most telling early development on transfer deadline day.

Portsmouth have signed two Greek players and, subject to international clearance, both will be available for tomorrow’s FA Cup fourth-round tie at Southampton.