Speculation is mounting that defenders Robert Huth and Dave Wheater are attracting the interest of Stoke and Aston Villa respectively.

Boro boss Gareth Southgate has announced there will be more departures from the Riverside but Johnson, who has scored three goals in three appearances this season, is hoping the majority of the squad will stay intact.

He told the Northern Echo: "We have a very strong squad. We let Stewart Downing go, but we have a better team than most in this league but all we can do is try to perform. Our only aim is to get promotion.

"It is important that we keep this squad together, but I don't think we can afford to think about what might or might not happen to the squad.

"There's time left, so there is always going to be talk about different players leaving."

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY manager Brian Laws is confident new recruit Luke Varney will terrorise Championship defenders.

Laws has swooped for the 26-year-old on a six-month loan deal from Derby to ease his striker shortage following short-term injuries to Leon Clarke, Akpo Sodje and Francis Jeffers.

Varney, who is ineligible for Tuesday's Carling Cup tie with Port Vale, rejoins the Owls after scoring two goals in four appearances in a loan spell at Hillsborough last season.

Laws told the club's official website, www.swfc.co.uk: "I am delighted that Luke has agreed to join us.

"He showed our supporters last season that he is a very capable player at this level who can create opportunities and score goals."

LEICESTER have completed the signing of Paul Gallagher from Blackburn for an undisclosed fee.

The 25-year-old has put pen to paper to a three-year contract at the Walkers Stadium and goes straight into Nigel Pearson's squad for the visit of Barnsley.

Gallagher, a product of Blackburn's youth system, has been frozen out at Ewood Park. The Scotland international has had two spells on loan at Stoke, plus time with Preston and Plymouth.

COVENTRY have snapped-up highly-rated Chelsea youngster Jack Cork on loan until the end of the year.

Chris Coleman's side are awaiting confirmation from the Football League before including Cork in their squad against Swansea on Saturday.

Coleman told the club's official website, www.ccfc.co.uk: "This is another excellent addition to the squad and Jack is the second promising young Chelsea player to join our ranks this season.

"He is very highly regarded at Stamford Bridge and he has already played close to 100 matches while on loan with other Football League clubs so has good experience for his age."

Forward Andy Liddell has signed a one-year contract to stay at ROTHERHAM.

The 36-year-old started the season with the Millers on a one-month deal following his release by Oldham and following three first-team appearances has now earned an extended stay.

He said: "I have really enjoyed the month that I have had here and my main goal was to try and show the manager and his staff that I was worth a longer contract."

BRISTOL CITY have allowed strikers Tristan Plummer and Marlon Jackson to both join League Two side HEREFORD on loan.

The duo will go straight into the Hereford squad to face Crewe on Saturday and are available to face Premier League side Portsmouth in the Carling Cup next week.