Today in the Football League

Championship

Southampton New manager Nigel Pearson said he was eager to return to management after taking the role at St Mary's just nine days after leaving his role as Newcastle United assistant manager. "I got a phone call on Sunday asking me to come down and I didn't have to think too long about it," Pearson said. "It is a great club with fantastic facilities and a long tradition and I look forward to the challenge."

Plymouth Argyle Russell Anderson has joined the Pilgrims on a month's loan from Sunderland. The Scotland defender has made just one Premier League appearance for the Black Cats this season and has moved to Home Park to gain more first-team experience.

Stoke City The Potters are to make "mini-season tickets" available in an attempt to enhance the atmosphere at the Britannia Stadium as they look to secure promotion to the Premier League. "The idea is to encourage more fans to get behind the team," chief executive Tony Scholes said.

Charlton Athletic The club have announced a three-year partnership with Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng. "Starting next month we intend to work closely with Shandong for the benefit of both clubs," chief executive Peter Varney said.

Blackpool Simon Grayson said he could bring in a couple of players on loan. "I'm not going to be daft enough to say I'm not going to get anyone. We might have two centre-halves out for quite a while," the manager said.

League One

Leeds United Chairman Ken Bates has called on the Football League to create a "taskforce" to help clubs in danger of entering administration. "They should consider setting up a taskforce to advise clubs about the best way of going about it," he said. "Rather than leaving them to their own devices."

Tranmere Rovers Striker Chris Shuker could return to action within the next month. "Shuker's making excellent progress," manager Ronnie Moore said. "He is getting closer every day. The Hartlepool game [on 15 March] is the one we are looking at for a return."

Huddersfield Town Striker Danny Cadamarteri could return to action for the Terriers in a reserve match with Stoke City today. The 28-year-old suffered a knee injury in early December and has failed to feature since.

League Two

Rochdale Supporters camped out on the pitch at Spotland burning wood and coal in a bid to thaw out the pitch ahead of last night's match with Notts County. The game was eventually postponed but chairman Chris Dunphy praised the actions of the fans. "It proves they are simply the best, we can't thank them enough," he said. "We will continue to keep the fires burning as we have a massively important game on Saturday [against Wycombe]."

Stockport County Midfielder Tommy Rowe has been linked with a move to Premier League sides Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal. "Tommy has everything," manager Jim Gannon said. "I've said before, and I've told him personally, I think he's got a great future."

Chesterfield Gregor Robertson could return from a thigh injury in the next month.