Football: Wednesday snap up Cresswell

DEADLINE DAY produced the usual round of last-minute wheelings and dealings yesterday, with the transfer of the promising young York City striker, Richard Cresswell, to Sheffield Wednesday for pounds 950,000 perhaps the most eye-catching move of the day.

"He is not the striker people may perceive as the big one we were chasing," the Wednesday manager, Danny Wilson said."But there were a few clubs looking at him and he is certainly one for the future."

Wilson switched his attention to Cresswell, an England Under-21 international, after his Dutch target, Michael Mols, chose to join Rangers instead.

Another forward, Mikkel Beck, was adjusting to the new surroundings of Pride Park, Derby last night after a pounds 500,000 move from Middlesbrough. The Danish international admitted he was pleased to be making a fresh start. "It is the right move for me," Beck said. "At Boro I just never got the chance to get a good run going."

The Newcastle forward Paul Dalglish has gone on loan to Norwich City until the end of the season. The Canaries had been keen to sign the 22- year-old son of the Magpies' former manager, Kenny, in a permanent pounds 1m deal, but Newcastle were reluctant to sell. Norwich also captured the Northern Irish international Phil Mulryne from Manchester United for pounds 500,000 and Cedric Anselin on loan from Bordeaux.

Southampton finally sorted out Marian Pahars' work permit and the Latvian playmaker completed a pounds 1m move to The Dell. David Howells, who has endured an unhappy season with the Saints since moving from Tottenham in the summer, moved to Bristol City on loan.

Financially stricken Crystal Palace reluctantly let their striker, Lee Bradbury, join Birmingham City on loan, after administrators ordered a temporary deal. Palace had originally hoped to raise pounds 1m by selling Bradbury permanently, a deal which may yet happen should the player help Birmingham to promotion. The loan move is a blow to Manchester City, though, who have yet to be paid in full by Palace for the pounds 1.2m signing of Bradbury six months ago.

Everton raided their relegation rivals Nottingham Forest to sign the Scottish midfielder Scot Gemmill for pounds 250,000.

Kevin Keegan took time off from his England duties to take the right- back Jamie Smith to Fulham from Wolves on loan, with a view to a permanent pounds 600,000 transfer.

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