The Robins had already agreed a fee for the 26-year-old and did not expect a decision from the Home Office until next week. However, Carle's application has been accepted and he has arrived in England.

"We are delighted that he has been granted a visa sooner than anticipated," said City boss Gray Johnson. "It could be as soon as Friday that he signs."

STOKE boss Tony Pulis has expressed his delight at signing Danny Pugh on a permanent basis from PRESTON.

The former Manchester United trainee has penned a three-and-a-half year deal after the Potters agreed to pay £500,000 for the 25-year-old defender.

Pugh moved to the Britannia Stadium on loan two months ago and will officially become a City player on January 15.

"Danny's already a big part of the team here and I'm delighted to have tied him down on a permanent deal," said Pulis.

North End, meanwhile, have also terminated midfielder Adam Nowland's contract by mutual consent.

BLACKPOOL have been handed a boost after WEST BROM striker Bartosz Slusarski's loan spell was extended by a further month while Adrian Forbes has left the Seasiders and signed an 18-month deal with MILLWALL.

SOUTHEND defender Adam Barrett has signed a new four-and-a-half year deal with the club while defender Kerrea Gilbert, who has spent the last five months on loan at Roots Hall, has returned to parent club Arsenal.

NORTHAMPTON manager Stuart Gray has confirmed that midfielder Bradley Johnson will be back in the squad for Saturday's clash at Leeds after failing to agree personal terms with several Coca-Cola Championship clubs.

LEEDS manager Dennis Wise has confirmed his interest in signing BARNET winger Jason Puncheon and LUTON striker Dean Morgan.

But the Elland Road side have also been rocked by the news striker Leon Constantine faces two months out with a broken arm sustained in the 3-1 defeat against Oldham.

Wise confirmed: "Leon will be a couple of months. He fell after he'd scored and the break was so severe he shouldn't have carried on. He's had a plate in his arm and it will be two months."

CHESTERFIELD have signed Manchester United winger Michael Barnes, 19, on loan until the end of the season while Simon Yeo has left CHESTER to join BURY until the the end of the season.

SHREWSBURY, who have allowed midfielder Stewart Drummond to rejoin former club MORECAMBE, have swooped to signed MACCLESFIELD midfielder Kevin McIntyre for a transfer fee in the region of £50,000.