On a relatively quiet day of Transfer Talk ahead of the weekend's action, Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale has refuted claims that the Bluebirds are set to sign former hero Robert Earnshaw.

Cardiff are in financial meltdown - what did you expect with Leeds' favourite villain Ridsdale at the helm? - and cannot afford to pay money for anyone, while Earnshaw is not available on loan.

"It is a situation which seems to have been blown out of all proportion," Ridsdale told the Western Mail. "I made a call to Derby [but] I am making 20 calls like that a day - and I was told Earnshaw was not going to be put out on loan - and that is that.

"I am aware how enormously popular a move it would be to bring Earnshaw back and I know how the supporters feel about him. But there is not a cat in hell's chance of us paying a transfer fee for him or for anyone else at this point in time for that matter."

Maybe you shouldn't have splashed out on Robbie Fowler - now expected to have played his last game in Wales after a failed hip operation - and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Pete. Still, at least you can make money pinning the blame on Dave Jones when your next book comes out.

West Brom are trialling another goalkeeper, as yet unnamed, after a move for Viktoria Pizen shot-stopper Michal Danek fell through. Baggies manager Tony Mowbray: "If Michal does not sign there is no panic or emergency. If we get an injury we've also got the loan market up until the last six weeks of the season."

Norwich are also trialling a goalie, American Matt Pickens to be precise. He is out of contract after leaving MLS franchise Chicago Fire.

Charlton winger Jerome Thomas has failed to agree a new contract at The Valley. Premier League clubs Middlesbrough and Derby have taken note - although there are 18 months left on his current deal.

Burnley manager Owen Coyle has told Charlton that unless they significantly up their bid for hot-shot Andy Gray, they can forget about a deal. The Addicks have offered over £1m for the 13-goal striker.

Former County and Boro striker Malcolm Christie, besieged by injuries throughout his career, has been hit with another one - and the back problem could scupper his chance of a full-time contract with League One side Leeds.

Ipswich Town and Stoke City - who have today signed Ryan Shawcross on a permanent deal from Manchester United - want to end Neil Lennon's 'League One hell' at Nottingham Forest. Former Leicester and Celtic midfielder Lennon, now 36, is unhappy under Colin Calderwood.

Blackburn have accepted a bid from Blackpool for full-back Andy Taylor. Wolves are looking to sign Birmingham defender Matt Sadler.

Plymouth are set to make a third bid for Exeter striker Jamie Mackie after their second offer of £115,000 was turned down.

Ian Murray, recently released by Norwich, has returned to Hibernian as Mixu Paatelainen begins to shape his new squad up in Scotland.

Goalkeeper Mark Tyler has now completed his shock move to Hull City from Peterborough on a month-long loan.

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport