Both clubs had been hopeful of the move going ahead even though FIFA regulations forbid a player from appearing for more than two clubs in one season.

Cousin, 30, had played 20 minutes as a substitute for French club Lens before his summer switch to Rangers and the football governing body are refusing to budge on their stance.

Cousin made no secret of his desire to play in the Barclays Premier League and looked set to realise that ambition ahead of Thursday's transfer deadline.

But a Fulham spokesperson confirmed: "Daniel has had to return to Rangers because FIFA won't change their policy on a player playing for more than two clubs in one season.

"Unfortunately, that means we will not be able to welcome Daniel Cousin to Fulham."

Asked whether the London club could resurrect their interest in the summer, the spokesperson added: "The FIFA ruling would not apply then so anything could happen."

Cousin has scored eight goals in 17 Clydesdale Bank Premier League appearances for Rangers but had failed to win over a section of the Ibrox support.

He will now be expected to play a pivotal role in the remainder of the campaign, as Rangers continue their push for the SPL title.

A club spokesperson said: "We can confirm that FIFA have turned down Fulham's request and that he will be back at Rangers."

* Iraq international Nashat Akram has been refused a work permit to play for MANCHESTER CITY.

Rangers fullback Alan Hutton is poised to become a SPURS player and could be thrown in at the deep end for a weekend debut against Manchester United.

Derby manager Paul Jewell has revealed the club have rejected an offer from NEWCASTLE for Giles Barnes but admits the midfielder could leave for the right price.

BORO target Afonso Alves was undergoing a medical as the Teessiders attempted to push through a club record signing.

MANCHESTER CITY goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson looks set to follow Georgios Samaras and Rolando Bianchi out of the exit door at Eastlands.

Abou Diaby maintains he has no intentions of following close friend Lassana Diarra out of ARSENAL.

Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko has ruled out a return to AC MILAN after insisting he is committed to Chelsea.

BIRMINGHAM manager Alex McLeish admits he is running out of time in his bid to sign AIK Solna midfielder Dulee Johnson before the January transfer window closes.

Greece striker Georgios Samaras could make his CELTIC debut at Motherwell after signing on loan until the end of the season from Manchester City. Japanese midfielder Koki Mizuno has become a permanent signing, agreeing a three-and-a-half-year contract with Celtic.

ABERDEEN have signed Middlesbrough's teenage midfielder Josh Walker on loan for the rest of the season.

JUVENTUS boosted their squad with the signing of Liverpool midfielder Mohamed Sissoko on Tuesday as the race for the Champions League hots up. But Portugal midfielder Tiago will not be leaving the club during the January transfer window.

HERACLES ALMELO have taken Ajax midfielder Robbert Schilder on loan until the end of the season.

FC GRONINGEN have failed in a bid to sign midfielder Theo Janssen from Vitesse Arnhem.

BOCHUM are expected to unveil new signing Shinji Ono at a press conference on Wednesday.

SCHALKE midfielder Mesut Ozil is set for six months in obscurity after being told he is no longer wanted by the Bundesliga club.

Striker Valeri Domovchiyski and midfielder Bryan Arguez have agreed terms with the HERTHA BERLIN, joining fellow new boys Raffael and Gojko Kacar at the Olympic Stadium.

ESPANYOL have completed the loan signing of Brazilian striker Ewerthon until the end of the season.

AC MILAN striker Filippo Inzaghi has urged team-mate Alberto Gilardino to stay at the San Siro.

SPORTING LISBON have taken AC Milan defender Leandro Grimi on loan until the end of the season with a view to a permanent deal.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST have made a seven-figure bid for Dundee United captain Barry Robson.

Sunderland defender Stanislav Varga appears to have played his last game for the club after BURNLEY extended his loan. Burnley have also signed Sunderland striker Andy Cole on loan for the rest of the season.

South Korea midfielder Kim Do-heon will undergo a medical at WEST BROM today as he closes in on a move to the Coca-Cola Championship side.

NORWICH manager Glenn Roeder insists he has had no contact from the MLS over the availability of forward Darren Huckerby.

IPSWICH have agreed to sign Macedonia international Velice Sumulikoski subject to a medical and work permit.

BARNSLEY manager Simon Davey has refused to give up on bringing EVERTON midfielder Anderson De Silva back to Oakwell.

HULL have completed the loan signing of QPR midfielder Simon Walton until the end of February.

YEOVIL have completed the signing of teenage READING forward Simon Church on loan until the end of the season.

PRESTON midfielder Jason Jarrett has joined League One side Oldham on a month's loan with a view to extending the deal until the end of the season.

CARLISLE have agreed a fee with SCUNTHORPE for winger Cleveland Taylor and hope to complete the deal before Thursday night's transfer deadline.