Today in the Football League

Championship

Cardiff City The Bluebirds striker Robbie Fowler faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after a hip injury was found to be more serious than was initially believed. "Nobody knows how long he will be out," a club spokesman said of the former Liverpool forward. "He is having treatment and we will see how it goes." The 32-year-old joined Cardiff last July and has struggled for a extended run in the first team.

Coventry City The Sky Blues have had their transfer embargo lifted by the Football League. The sanction was originally imposed on the club in October following their failure to meet an instalment of striker Leon Best's transfer fee from Southampton. The manager Iain Dowie is now free to strengthen his squad.

Stoke City The former Brazilian striker Pele will unveil a statue of the former England goalkeeper Gordon Banks later this year. The statue will be situated outside the Britannia Stadium and Banks said he was "very honoured" by the tribute. "I can't believe it's happened to me," he said. "It's a testament to all goalkeepers." Pele met Banks when Brazil defeated England in the 1970 World Cup.

Sheffield Wednesday The defender Lee Bullen said the Owls squad are not underestimating the importance to supporters of tomorrow's Steel City derby at Hillsborough. "I've had people stopping me in the street from more than two weeks ago," he said. "The message has been the same – beat United."

Queen's Park Rangers The Hoops have signed Damien Delaney from Colchester after increasing an original bid of £400,000.

League One and Two

Swansea City Febian Brandy has joined the club on loan from Manchester United until the end of the season. The 18-year-old, who has been at Old Trafford ranks since the age of nine, makes the move to the Liberty Stadium after featuring regularly for the Reds reserves.

Gillingham The Gills have completed the permanent signing of Grays striker Dennis Oli on a two-and-half-year deal. The 23-year-old had been on loan at Priestfields since November. "He has put in some excellent performances for us," manager Mark Stimson said.