Jiri Jarosik is expected to make his debut for Birmingham City against Middlesbrough tonight after agreeing a season-long loan from Chelsea, with a view to a permanent deal.
The 27-year-old midfielder is comfortable either in a holding or attacking role.
"He is a powerful midfielder who is very strong in the air," said Steve Bruce, the Birmingham manager. "It is his versatility that really appeals."
Jarosik, who is anxious to regain his place in the Czech Republic squad ahead of next year's World Cup, is the fourth player to have swapped Chelsea for Birmingham in the space of little more than 12 months.
Kevin Phillips will return to the Aston Villa side for tonight's encounter with Portsmouth after missing Saturday's match at Manchester United with a stomach strain.
But Villa will be without left-back Jlloyd Samuel, who damaged his knee in a challenge with Roy Keane. Patrik Berger, who has a thigh strain, is unlikely to appear against his former employers, who are yet to win a point this season.
Manchester City will look to extend their unbeaten run to 11 league games, their best in the top flight since 1977, when they visit Sunderland tonight. The visitors meanwhile are hoping to avoid an 18th consecutive Premiership defeat.
It is a statistic the Black Cats manager Mick McCarthy is tired of hearing about. "What we did in the Premiership two years ago has no bearing on this season," he said. "What I had for breakfast three weeks ago does not affect what I am going to do today. It is getting right up my nose."
Tottenham have identified the South Korea wing-back Lee Young-Pyo as their next transfer target. Manager Martin Jol considers him the ideal foil to Edgar Davids as he renovates the left flank of his team.
Lee was quoted in the Netherlands last week as saying that he expected his future at PSV Eindhoven to be decided by last weekend but has still failed to agree a new contract there.
Though the Dutch champions are seeking £5 million, Spurs are confident that since he has only a year left on his current deal, they can agree a much-reduced fee.
Bolton are also believed to be interested in the player but Jol's hand has been strengthened by a Premiership season start that has brought Spurs maximum points.
Despite several bids for the Holland forward Dirk Kuyt, Spurs have yet to tempt his club Feyenoord into parting with him.
One other potential addition could be Newcastle's Jermaine Jenas, especially as injury to Wayne Routledge has left a vacancy in midfield. But there are impediments to the deal.
The England international would need to be persuaded that playing on the right wing would benefit him ahead of the World Cup. And, though Newcastle's chairman Freddy Shepherd is pushing for any deal to include Ireland's Robbie Keane, Spurs want a cash-only arrangement. There is also some distance between the clubs' valuations of Jenas.
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