Tottenham were tonight sweating on clearance to make the signing of Rafael van der Vaart the biggest coup of transfer deadline day as the window closed in unexpected drama.

Robinho’s final exit from Manchester City and Sunderland’s club-record signing of Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan were the biggest deals completed on a quiet transfer deadline day.

Birmingham have allowed striker Marcus Bent to join Barclays Premier League rivals Wolves on a four-month loan deal.

Today’s transfer deadline day could yet have one more twist with Tottenham striker Robbie Keane locked in talks with Celtic over a loan move to Parkhead.

Birmingham are close to completing a deal for Aston Villa midfielder Craig Gardner, according to Blues vice-chairman Peter Pannu.

Marcus Bent’s loan spell at Middlesbrough from Birmingham has been extended until January 16, the Premier League club have confirmed.

Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan has confirmed he remains in talks with striker Marcus Bent over a second spell at the Riverside Stadium.

Middlesbrough have signed Stoke striker Dave Kitson on a two-month loan.

Birmingham’s crippling injury list means manager Alex McLeish will call upon every fit and able first-team player at his disposal for tonight’s Carling Cup third-round clash against Sunderland.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish does not have the option of resting players ahead of tomorrow’s Carling Cup third-round trip to Sunderland with his squad ravaged by injury.

Alex McLeish insists Birmingham’s treatment room is “bursting at the seams” ahead of Saturday’s trip to Hull.

Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish faces major selection problems ahead of his team’s daunting return to the Barclays Premier League at Manchester United on Sunday.

Birmingham 1 Southampton 0

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND international Andy Keogh was on target as Wolves deservedly booked their place in the FA Cup fourth round with a derby victory over Birmingham.

GLEN ROEDER challenged Norwich to improve their consistency after the East Anglian derby win over Ipswich at Carrow Road yesterday.

Birmingham 0 Coventry 1

Birmingham have completed the signing of striker Marcus Bent from Charlton after his dramatic change of heart over a proposed switch to Championship rivals Cardiff.

Cardiff are poised to complete the signing of striker Marcus Bent from Championship rivals Charlton.

Striker Marcus Bent is poised to sign a long-term deal with Wigan.

Wigan 0 Man Utd 2

Wigan manager Steve Bruce has held talks with Zamalek over the possible signing of striker Amr Zaki, according to a member of the Egyptian club’s board.

A second-half brace from Luis Antonio Valencia handed Wigan the win they needed to confirm their Barclays Premier League status as Aston Villa failed to keep the pressure on Everton in the battle for the UEFA Cup.

Wigan 0 Reading 0

Wigan strike pair Emile Heskey and Marcus Bent have received the all-clear ahead of their crucial Barclays Premier League clash at home to Reading on Saturday.

AS riveting as the Premier League title race has become in recent days, the relegation contest — a competition that can cost the losers an estimated £40 million (€50.7m) in lost revenue — is proving every bit as compelling.

Wigan 1 Tottenham 1

Marcus Bent will commit his future to Wigan this summer providing the club retain their place in the Barclays Premier League.

Chelsea 1 Wigan 1

Wigan 2 Birmingham City 0

Portsmouth 2 Wigan 0

Blackburn 3 Wigan 1

Wigan’s Antoine Sibierski is unlikely to face Blackburn after sustaining a calf injury while preparing to come on against Bolton last week.

Wigan striker Emile Heskey has been given the all-clear to play in Sunday’s Premier League relegation battle with Bolton at the JJB Stadium.

Sylvester Stallone has spoken about the death threats he received while filming the new 'Rambo', which sees him play the all-action hero at the age of 61.

Sunderland 2 Wigan 0

Wigan 1 West Ham 0

Wigan manager Steve Bruce is set for a tough decision in attack ahead of the Barclays Premier League home game against West Ham.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is hoping he can complete a club record deal for Heerenveen striker Afonso Alves this week.

IT is unclear whether Nicolas Anelka saw the man holding a banner stating “It is time to seek the lord” outside the JJB Stadium on Saturday.

Wigan boss Steve Bruce is confident Michael Brown will avoid any Football Association charge following an off-the-ball incident with Chelsea captain Claude Makelele.

Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has hailed the abilities of new signing Nicolas Anelka after the Frenchman helped the Blues to a 2-1 win over Wigan in the FA Cup fourth round.

Wigan 1 Chelsea 2

TITUS BRAMBLE added another horrific defensive error to his lengthy CV as Everton clinically ground out a third straight Premiership win to add even more weight to David Moyes’ claims that his team can last the course in the race for fourth place.