Sunderland have clinched the signing of one of their major transfer targets as Blackburn striker Jon Stead has completed a £1.8m move to the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland striker Michael Bridges has been handed a free transfer as manager Mick McCarthy prepares for life back in the Barclays Premiership.

Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy has admitted he lied about wanting to win the Coca-Cola Championship title.

Everton cruised into the last 16 of the FA Cup with a convincing victory at Goodison Park.

Ipswich went top of the Coca-Cola Championship after a 1-0 win against Brighton at Portman Road.

Bolton striker Michael Bridges is in talks about a move back to his first club Sunderland after finding first-team opportunities limited at the Reebok Stadium.

Bolton v Charlton

Bolton 0 Inter Milan 1

BOLTON boss Sam Allardyce has defended his “Dad’s Army” recruitment drive.

Bolton today completed a double swoop for former Spain captain Fernando Hierro and current Israel skipper Tal Ben Haim.

Manchester City look set to complete a deal today for Leeds and England full-back Danny Mills.

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce has declared an interest in securing the services of veteran defender Fernando Hierro.

Bolton today snapped up experienced Tunisia defender Radhi Jaidi on a two-year deal.

Les Ferdinand has today signed a one-year deal with Bolton.

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce has been given the go-ahead to bolster his squad this summer.

Bolton chairman Phil Gartside has admitted the club are no longer interested in securing Rivaldo’s signature.

Bolton are on the verge of signing Birmingham’s Senegal midfielder Aliou Cisse.

BRAZILIAN star Ronaldinho has signed a lucrative new deal with Barcelona as the club aim to ward off bids from European rivals.

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce today snapped up striker Michael Bridges on a one-year contract with the option of another 12 months.

Striker Michael Bridges could be handed a lifeline by the club with which he launched his career.

Newcastle manager Bobby Robson will hold a fitness check ahead of Sunday’s vital Barclaycard Premiership clash with Chelsea.

Newcastle 0 Marseille 0

Newcastle manager Bobby Robson is forced to do without three of his most influential players as his side goes into a UEFA Cup semi-final with Marseille at St James’ Park tonight.

Aston Villa 0 Newcastle United 0

Newcastle defender Andy O’Brien has recovered from the groin injury which has kept him out of his side’s last two games and returns to contention for tomorrow night’s UEFA Cup quarter-final, first leg with PSV Eindhoven in Holland.

Leeds are set for a multi-million pound cash injection this week less than a fortnight after being saved from administration.

Newcastle boss Bobby Robson will make a late check on striker Craig Bellamy ahead of tomorrow night’s UEFA Cup fourth round, second leg clash with Real Mallorca in Palma.

NEWCASTLE striker Craig Bellamy gave team morale a lift yesterday when he boarded the plane for Palma with a chance of playing in tomorrow night’s UEFA Cup fourth round, second leg clash with Real Mallorca.

Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy gave team morale a lift this afternoon when he boarded the plane for Palma with a chance of playing in Thursday night’s UEFA Cup fourth round, second leg clash with Real Mallorca.

"WE'RE off life support" was how new Leeds chairman Gerald Krasner today described the club that appear to have found a new lease of life.

Newcastle 3 Valerenga 1 (Agg 4-2)

Valerenga 1 Newcastle 1

Newcastle boss Bobby Robson took a UEFA Cup gamble in Norway this afternoon by resting three of his big guns.

Craig Bellamy could be ready to be unleashed on the Premiership in earnest when Newcastle head for Blackburn on Wednesday night.

BOBBY ROBSON has started to consider the biggest problem he may face in the remainder of his career.

Newcastle 3 Leicester 1

LEEDS goalkeeper Paul Robinson’s proposed move to Spurs this summer would appear to be the first step towards the club clearing their decks should they be relegated.

TOTTENHAM bucked the trend for loans and cheap deals on a busy transfer deadline day by splashing out stg£7million on West Ham striker Jermain Defoe.

Paul Robinson’s proposed move to Spurs appears unlikely to go through before today’s 5pm transfer deadline as Spurs may not be chasing Jermain Defoe.