Problems for Pardew as Davenport leaves

West Ham manager Alan Pardew has problems in defence following Calum Davenport’s surprise return to Tottenham.

The powerful centre-back’s three-month loan deal was due to expire at the end of November, and both Pardew and Davenport were keen to extend it for the remainder of the season.

But Spurs have now recalled Davenport, leaving the Hammers, who also have Malky Mackay (calf) out injured, looking short at the back.

“Calum has returned to Spurs,” confirmed a West Ham spokesman. “It’s a pity from our point of view.

"I know that Alan Pardew wanted to keep him here.”

Stockport boss Sammy McIlroy is waiting to hear from Mick McCarthy about Andy Welsh, who is on trial with Sunderland.

The 20-year-old winger has spent the past three days training with the Black Cats and could be on the verge of a permanent move to the Stadium of Light.

Preston manager Billy Davies has vowed that more signings are in the pipeline following Patrick Agyemang’s arrival from Gillingham.

He said: “We’re delighted to have a fresh face on board and we’re certainly not finished in that department. We’ll look to add one or two more over the next few days, or few weeks.”

Former Malmo midfielder Johann Larsson has joined Gillingham on trial.

Larsson has begun training with the Kent club this week, with the Gills desperately hoping he will provide the solution to their creativity problems in midfield.

Kevin Blackwell is keen to keep on-loan winger John Oster at Leeds for as long as possible.

The Wales international has been told he has no future at the Stadium of Light by Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy.

But a change of environment appears to have given the 25-year-old a new lease of life with Oster giving Leeds some much-needed width in his first two matches.

“In the same way I had hoped to keep Brett Ormerod here, I would like to extend Oster’s loan on a month-by-month basis,” said Blackwell.

Chesterfield assistant manager Lee Richardson is confident both he and manager Roy McFarland will sign new contracts by the end of the month.

The Spireites duo were offered two-year deals by the club last week and are currently studying the terms on offer before committing themselves.

“I do not anticipate a problem with signing the new contracts,” confirmed Richardson. “It’s just a case of going through the small details and then reaching an agreement to cater for both parties.”

Chester chairman Stephen Vaughan has released director of football Ray Mathias.

The former Tranmere manager took charge of City following Mark Wright’s departure on the eve of the new season.

Mathias was caretaker boss for the first six matches of the season before Ian Rush was appointed as the new Chester manager.

A club statement said: “The club would like to thank Ray for helping us steward the football team in an extremely difficult time back in August and for all his help and experience since.”

Peterborough teenager Sean St Ledger has been rewarded for his rich vein of form by agreeing a new long-term contract.

Manager Barry Fry has handed the 19-year-old defender a three-and-a-half year deal just days after he won the man-of-the-match award in the FA Cup win over Tranmere.

Rochdale boss Steve Parkin has agreed to let midfielder Neil Brisco join non-league Northwich Victoria on loan.

The 26-year-old former Manchester City trainee, frustrated at a lack of first-team opportunities, has joined the Conference outfit for a month.

Oldham have signed Tottenham midfielder Mark Hughes on loan to help ease the club’s injury crisis.

The 21-year-old will stay at Boundary Park for an initial month and could find himself thrown straight into the side.