Sheffield United are worried that a permanent deal for young Manchester United right-back Phil Bardsley may be dead in the water after the Red Devils refused them permission to play him in the FA Cup at the weekend.

"Manchester United initially said it would be okay to play Phil," Blades boss Bryan Robson revealed.

"But then they came back to us and said that because we haven't reached terms with his agent yet that they'd rather he didn't take part."

Worrying times for struggling United then, despite the Cup win over Bolton at the Reebok. They may also be raided by former boss Neil Warnock, now in charge of a resurgent Crystal Palace of course - Old Big Mouth is said to want Michael Tonge, Nick Montgomery and Alan Quinn with him in south London.

They could be allowed to leave if Lee Martin joins from Man Utd, further bolstering the midfield ranks after Gary Speed arrived at Bramall Lane.

Across the Steel City another previous boss, Paul Sturrock of Plymouth, could return to Wednesday to sign midfielder Glenn Whelan, while he is also interested in Aberdeen pair Michael Hart and Chris Clark.

Southampton boss George Burley has spoken of his fear that he may only sign one of his three loan men, Phil Ifil of Tottenham, on a permanent basis.

Reading's Alan Bennett looks a 'History Boy' - oh come on - once he returns to the Royals next week while Andrew Davies may not return from club Middlesbrough. The pair were also not given permission to feature on Saturday.

Scunthorpe United manager Nigel Adkins has revealed that he was all set to take Coventry striker Dele Adebola to Glanford Park - but the silly old sod went and hit a cracking goal against Blackburn, adding to his stunning winner versus Ipswich and consolation at Bristol City. NOW Cov want him. Clubs are so fickle.

Michael Kightly, goal-scoring substitute for Wolves at the weekend, may be on his way out of Molineux - with Spurs said to be monitoring the former Grays man. Goalie Wayne Hennessey is apparently on Arsenal's radar for around £4 million, as well as that of Newcastle and Celtic. Incoming at Wolves may be Hoops striker Derek Riordan.

Riordan has also been linked with a move to Burnley, but only as part of a swap deal allowing weekend red-card 'villain' Kyle Lafferty to join Celtic.

West Bromwich Albion midfielder Richard Chaplow meanwhile is a target for Burnley.

Damien Delaney may yet make an emotional exit from Hull's KC Stadium despite the club's rejection of a £450,000 bid from Colchester United. Leeds United are poised to bid - and are said to be about to take Walsall's loan midfielder Peter Sweeney from permanent club Stoke City.

The League One club could also retain an interest in the Saddlers' left-back Daniel Fox despite having a bid of £300,000 dismissed recently.

Norwich fancy a bit of CSKA Sofia and Bulgaria defender Valentin Iliev for around £700,000.

Leicester are said to be closing on MTK Hungária midfielder Gabor Bori and the Foxes are also in the frame to bag MK Dons' Keith Andrews for £1.5m.

Dundee United have rejected an offer from Blackpool for striker Noel Hunt.

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport