Viduka stays but Robinson to go

Mark Viduka will not be moving to Middlesbrough before today’s 5pm transfer deadline – but Spurs have tied up a deal for Paul Robinson.

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren confirmed his interest in Viduka at the weekend, and stated there had been an inquiry for the Australia international.

Boro are believed to have offered a fee of around £4m (€5.8m) for the 28-year-old, who was back in training today after a three-week vigil at home in Melbourne where he has been at the bedside of his critically-ill father Joe.

But Leeds chief executive Trevor Birch, who has long stated Viduka would not be leaving Elland Road during the transfer window, has kept his word to the United supporters.

However, Birch is letting Robinson join Spurs subject to a medical, although the England international will not be moving to the White Hart Lane club until the summer.

Spurs are understood to be giving Leeds a £2m (€2.9m) down payment, but allowing the 24-year-old to remain with Leeds for the remaining 15 matches of this campaign to aid their battle against relegation.

Michael Bridges, meanwhile, would appear to have played his last game for the club after joining Newcastle on loan until the end of the season.

The striker, who has struggled to recapture the form of his first season with Leeds when he scored 21 goals in the 1999-2000 campaign due to a series of career-threatening injuries, is likely to be cut in the summer as he is out of contract.

Leeds had been hoping Newcastle would let Lomana LuaLua move in the opposite direction, but the Magpies – who recently turned down a bid of £1.5m (€2.1m) for the Congo international and Andy Griffin from Portsmouth – are reluctant to let him go.