FOOTBALL: Veteran Wolverhampton Wanderers keeper Paul Jones was the key link in a transfer chain last night as the Football League's 5pm 'emergency loan deal' pre-January transfer window deadline passed in a flurry of activity.
Colin Lee's Millwall were hoping to keep Jones, who has been at the New Den on loan for the last three months, to cover an injury crisis.
Former Wolves manager Lee appealed to the League for special dispensation to allow Jones to stay beyond the regulation maximum 93 days But when that was turned down, Millwall switched their attentions instead to young Birmingham City No 1 Colin Doyle.
Wales international Jones, currently covering for another Wolves old boy, former loan signing Andy Marshall, played his final loan game in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Norwich City and having moved to South London on a one-month loan, Doyle is now set for a debut tomorrow in their home game with Leeds United.
That still leaves Lee with a problem when Blues go to the New Den to meet Millwall in the last 16 of the Carling Cup next Tuesday night - and Doyle is not allowed to play. The Cork-born 21-year-old, yet to appear in the Blues first team, enjoyed loan spells at Chester City and Nottingham Forest last season.
Blues also allowed another player to go out on loan yesterday, Carl Motteram making a five-week loan move to Tamworth. After a ninemonth injury lay-off, the 20-year-old winger made his reserve-team comeback earlier this month.
West Bromwich Albion also arranged for out-of-favour first-teamer Lloyd Dyer to keep getting match practice by allowing him to stay on loan for a third month at Queens Park Rangers.
The Baggies have the right to recall the 23-year-old flier, who has now racked up ten starts for Ian Holloway's men but it has been agreed that Dyer, whose last league appearance for Albion came 13 months ago, can stay at Loftus Road until Boxing Day.
Meanwhile, Wolves youngster Lewis Gobern has been allowed out on loan to manager-less Blackpool.
The Seasiders' caretakerboss Simon Grayson, the former Aston Villa defender, has agreed a deal to take Gobern until January 2, although Wolves have a recall clause after 28 days.
FOOTBALL: Moor Green have confirmed the date for the keenly-anticipated Birmingham Senior Cup-tie with West Bromwich Albion for next Tuesday.
The match against Bryan Robson's Premiership club will kick off at 7.45pm at Damson Park, with the winners progressing to the quarter-finals.
Hednesford Town meet Studley the following night in a rearranged tie.
