Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate was awaiting developments after giving striker Mido permission to talk to Wigan.

The 25-year-old Egypt international headed into talks with Steve Bruce after training yesterday as Latics striker Marlon King agreed a loan deal at the Riverside Stadium until the end of the season.

Southgate said: "Mido was training with us (yesterday) and I said would he like the opportunity to speak and he asked if he could have that opportunity, but that's as far as it has gone at the moment."

Elsewhere in the North East, it emerged that Newcastle had to pay out £4.6million to Sam Allardyce and his staff after dispensing with his services.

Financial figures for the period to June 30, 2008, which have just been signed off, revealed the club handed over a total of £4,597,000 after showing Allardyce the door in January last year.

Boss Joe Kinnear also admitted yesterday that resources are low as injuries take their toll, a problem shared by rivals Sunderland, who revealed they are chasing five players.

Manager Ricky Sbragia gave little away about his targets, but confirmed that four are defenders and one a midfielder.

"There's one we have got our eye on, and if we bring him in, then he should be starting on Tuesday's game against Fulham," said Sbragia. "We really just have to see how the weekend goes."

Bolton defender Jlloyd Samuel is warning against complacency as the club exit their most difficult stretch of the season.

Of the seven Barclays Premier League matches played since the beginning of December, five have been against Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Aston Villa.

Wanderers now do not face a side in the top five until they travel to Chelsea on April 11 but Samuel said: "We can't just sit back and say because we have played the big four, that's it. If we take our foot off the gas then we won't take any points and we will be in trouble."

Tottenham goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez is expected to complete his switch to Valencia today. The 37-year-old is set to undergo a medical at midday, after which, barring any problems, he will be officially presented.

Another player leaving the Premier League is Hull midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos, who has returned to his native Greece to join Larissa after failing to make an impact at the KC Stadium.

West Brom skipper Jonathan Greening has backed new loan signing Jay Simpson from Arsenal to have the same sort of impact as Kieran Richardson did four years ago.

Richardson played a significant part in the Baggies' Premier League survival that campaign after moving on loan from Manchester United.

"Jay has settled in really well," he said. "Sometimes you need a bit of enthusiasm, someone with young legs. It's a bit like Kieran Richardson when he came to us on loan. He was a bit raw.

"Jay is like that as well - but he can do something to change a game as we've already seen."

Blackburn's Vince Grella believes Rovers can escape relegation and hailed the improvement under new boss Allardyce, who replaced Paul Ince last month.

"The team is responding well with the new manager and there is a new vibe," he said. "Hopefully we can turn it around in the second half (of the season)."

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has rubbished reports Liam Lawrence is on his way out of the club despite the midfielder struggling to hold down a place in the team.

Aston Villa, Portsmouth and Fulham will all be looking to avoid slip-ups against lower-league opposition in the FA Cup fourth round tomorrow when they face Doncaster, Swansea and Kettering respectively.

Everton will be buoyed by Monday's 1-1 Premier League draw at Liverpool when they return to Anfield for a mouth-watering cup tie on Sunday.