Bolton try to prise Jess from Aberdeen

Bolton are to offer Aberdeen pounds 1.5m for their Scotland attacker Eoin Jess. The struggling Premiership club have been watching Jess all season.

Jess has been in stunning form, scoring regularly from midfield, although he also plays up front. Aberdeen value him at more than pounds 2m, but as his contract runs out at the end of the season, they may wish to cash in now. Jess has also been watched by Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds, who could make counter offers.

Bolton's management team of Roy McFarland and Colin Todd have spent pounds 5m this season but there is more money available to them. Bolton are quietly optimistic because Aberdeen have signed Dean Windass from Hull City as a potential replacement for Jess.

Crystal Palace have lined up Darlington's highly rated centre-back Sean Gregan to replace Chris Coleman. Palace's chairman, Ron Noades, has agreed a pounds 250,000 deal with the Third Division club.

Gregan will be allowed to leave because Darlington are in financial trouble despite selling a handful of players this season. He will join Palace this week for a couple of days' training, while he completes a suspension.

Peter Schmeichel, who has missed Manchester United's last two games after an elbow operation, hopes to be fit for Sunday's Premiership match against Liverpool. He had not been expected to play before Christmas.

"I'll be working really hard this week and hopefully I'll be able to play, although there is a risk of making the injury worse. I don't want to play and ruin the next five games," he said.