Everton have pulled out of a deal to buy Sean Davis from Fulham because the midfielder will not be able to pass a medical before next weekend's transfer deadline.
It is a shattering blow for Everton manager David Moyes, who has been chasing the former England under-21 international for weeks.
Davis has been struggling with a knee-ligament injury and would have needed to satisfy Everton that a transfer from the London club was not a major gamble.
Moyes said: "After a close inspection, it is apparent that Sean Davis is unable to complete a medical prior to the transfer deadline.
"With that in mind we are not able to complete the deal at present."
Furthermore it is unlikely Everton would have been able to get insurance for the player in the current financial climate. Davis visited Goodison Park on Friday and completed one half of his medical, and returned yesterday for a crucial scan on his knee.
But the results of that made it clear he would be out of action for a month, and so Everton reluctantly pulled the plug on the deal.
Moyes will now redouble his efforts to bring in a top-class midfielder this week and could turn his attention fully to Rangers skipper Barry Ferguson.
With local rivals Liverpool claiming they have not made a bid for Ferguson, Moyes could now be locked in a battle with Blackburn for the Scottish international.
He added: "I am trying my utmost to get some new faces in this week before the deadline, and I am trying to do as much as I can.
"Barry Ferguson is not just a flyer, we have got an interest in him and I have done for months and months, and he's another name who I would love to have here.
"Potentially I am not sure that we have the finances that Rangers are after."
Midfielders Thomas Gravesen, Lee Carsley, Scot Gemmill and Steve Watson are suffering from injuries, so the need for more players in this department is obvious. Moyes has also been linked with Mexican international Gerardo Torrado, who could have a trial this week.
Everton are expected to field the same side that beat Fulham for the visit to Charlton tonight if Watson passes a late fitness test on a foot injury.
Scott Parker, sent off at Wolves on Saturday, will take his place in a near full-strength Charlton side with injured defender Richard Rufus the only absentee.
Striker Shaun Bartlett should play despite the hand injury he suffered on Saturday and is likely to resume up front alongside Jason Euell, keeping Paolo di Canio and Carlton Cole on the bench.
"Everton will be a tough game for us - it was probably the best match at The Valley last season. Maybe West Ham shaded it a little bit. But David Moyes's side are probably the hardest-working team in the country," said Alan Curbishley.
"If we play like we did against Man City then we will lose by the same score, that's for sure. If we repeat what we did against Wolves then there is a game on."
Peter Reid has demanded his defenders be on their guard to combat one of the Premiership's most potent threats.
The former Sunderland boss knows more than most about the threat posed by Kevin Phillips, who is quickly settling into life at Southampton.
And Reid knows his Leeds side need to improve at the back if they are to shackle the prolific frontman and secure their first Premiership win of the season at Elland Road.
Reid said: "Kevin Phillips is one of those strikers who can get all kinds of goals.
"He has the whole array and he likes playing off a big man. He loved playing alongside Niall Quinn at Sunderland and now his partnership with James Beattie looks like a potent force."
Reid might have a central defensive headache with both Dominic Matteo and Lucas Radebe facing late tests. Matteo has a swollen ankle and Radebe's troublesome knee is sore from the match at White Hart Lane. Reid may also hand a full debut to Jermaine Pennant, who replaced Jason Wilcox on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Danny Mills is set to face Leeds on Sunday wearing a Middlesbrough shirt in the first test of the new Premier League rules on loan signings. The England defender completed his move to Middlesbrough on a one-year loan from Leeds yesterday, and Boro manager Steve McClaren has confirmed he is available to play against the Elland Road club at the weekend.
Leicester manager Micky Adams is urging his players to take confidence from their display at big-spending Chelsea as he looks to find the Premiership winning formula sooner rather than later.
But Adams knows the importance of earning tangible rewards for their efforts - starting with tonight's home clash with Middlesbrough, who will be looking to bounce back from their 4-0 home drubbing by Arsenal on Sunday.
And Leicester could be boosted by the return of veteran striker Les Ferdinand, who suffered an ankle injury at Southampton.
