Why January transfer window can't come quick enough for Pompey
The latest news from across the Championship.
One of Portsmouth’s main Championship relegation rivals has been handed a major boost after they were given the green light to add two free agents to their struggling squad.
After one of the most troubling periods in their long and proud history, Sheffield Wednesday were placed into administration earlier this month and were hit with a transfer embargo that meant new head coach Henrik Pedersen was unable to add to a squad that had already been decimated by departures. With controversial former owner Dejphon Chansiri now departed, the Owls are still working their way through the mess left behind by the Thai businessman as he took them to the brink of going out of business.
There was big news from Hillsborough on Thursday after the EFL authorised a partial easing of the restrictions placed on Wednesday as they allowed the club to add two new faces to their squad following talks between the two parties. The Sheffield Star have reported former Leeds United stalwart and former Sunderland and Middlesborough forward Duncan Watmore are amongst their targets and reveals both players ‘had been close to a reaching deal to join the Owls in the summer’ before their financial crisis hit critical point. Former Manchester United and Bayer Leverkusen player Timothy Fosu-Mensah is also said to be under consideration as he is able to play in several different positions.
Middlesbrough consider former Chelsea star to replace Edwards
Rob Edwards, the new Wolverhampton Wanderers Head Coach reacts at Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground on November 12, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England.placeholder image
Rob Edwards, the new Wolverhampton Wanderers Head Coach reacts at Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground on November 12, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England. | Wolves via Getty Images
Middlesbrough’s push for promotion into the Premier League has been hampered by the surprise departure of manager Rob Edwards after he agreed to take charge at top flight strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The former Luton Town boss was only appointed as Boro manager during the summer and he had guided his new side into second place in the Championship table when Wolves came calling following their decision to part company with Vitor Pereira. Despite rejecting an initial approach, Boro ‘reluctantly’ agreed a compensation deal and Edwards was officially named as new head coach of the club he represented 100 times during his playing career earlier this week.
Explaining the decision, Edwards told the Wolves website: “It means a lot. This club’s really special. It’s special anyway, but it’s special to me because it’s where I’ve spent most of my professional career and where I played most of my football. Then to have done a lot of the roles that I’ve done, I’ve got to be honest, this job was always my aim. This is the dream.
“I know the situation that we’re in right now, but this is just something that I’ve always wanted, and I’m ready for it. I’m ready for the challenge, I’m up for it, and it’s been great getting around everybody, seeing so many faces that I know, and new faces as well. The staff are all up for it and we’ll meet the players next week when everyone arrives back, and I know the lads will be as well.”
Several managers have been linked with the vacancy left behind by Edwards with the likes of Gary O'Neil, Steven Gerrard and Brendan Rodgers all mentioned as possible targets for Boro chairman Steve Gibson. However, journalist Alan Nixon has named former Riverside Stadium favourite Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink as a ‘shock’ candidate to return to Boro for the first time since a two-year spell as a player in the North East came to an end in 2006.
The former Netherlands striker has been out of work since he left his role as one of Gareth Southgate’s assistant head coach with England in August last year and has not worked in the EFL since he resigned as Burton Albion manager just over three years ago.
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