Benik Afobe and Lewis Grabban feature in top ten dead-line day signings in lower leagues
Wolves will look to get former player Benik Afobe back on form during a loan stint from Bournemouth while Gary Madine's £6m move should be a good investment for Cardiff
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AFTER the transfer window shut on Wednesday, SunSport’s EFL reporter TOM BARCLAY picks his top ten deadline-day signings in the lower leagues.
Benik Afobe (Bournemouth to Wolves on loan)
JACK WILSHERE’S best mate may not have lived up to expectations down on the South Coast.
But he is a very shrewd signing for Wolves, where he shone for a season two years ago, and should ensure safe passage to the Premier League.
Aleksandar Mitrovic (Newcastle to Fulham on loan)
LOVED by Toon fans but unloved by the man who matters on Tyneside, Rafa Benitez.
The Spaniard felt hot-head ‘Mitro’ could not be trusted and rarely gave him a chance.
But his loan signing could be a stroke of genius by Slavisa Jokanovic who needed a target man.
Lewis Grabban (Bournemouth to Aston Villa on loan)
GRABBAN showed what a top Championship player he is with 12 league goals in a woeful Sunderland side.
Steve Bruce now has a fearsome attack if he can get it firing with ‘Grabbs’ joining Scott Hogan, Keinan Davis and Jonathan Kodjia once the Ivorian returns from injury.
Ben Marshall (Wolves to Millwall on loan)
SIGNED by Paul Lambert but unfancied by his successor Nuno Espirito Santo, Marshall has kicked his heels on the bench for most of the season.
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But there is talent in those boots, particularly when it comes to delivering crosses, which should suit the likes of Steve Morison, Tom Elliott and, of course, Tim Cahill down to the ground.
Jack Colback (Newcastle to Nottingham Forest on loan)
COLBACK was deemed surplus to requirements by ruthless Rafa Benitez in the summer for reasons unknown.
Yet Aitor Karanka has pounced to add some much-needed know-how to his Nottingham Forest midfield.
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Kasey Palmer (Chelsea to Derby on loan)
JOHNNY RUSSELL’S exit for the MLS left Gary Rowett missing a wide man and Palmer could be the perfect replacement.
The pacey 21-year-old was not getting a lot of game time with Huddersfield but should fit in nicely with Rowett’s solid 4-2-3-1 system.
Muhamed Besic (Everton to Middlesbrough on loan)
CLASSY Bosnian Besic played plenty of times for Everton but was frozen out due to increased competition in the last year.
A calm head on the ball in holding midfield, this looks a shrewd move from Tony Pulis.
Chris Martin (Derby to Reading on loan)
JAAP STAM’S struggling side have been crying out for a player who can hold the ball up AND score goals.
Yann Kermorgant was that man last year but has struggled with injury, while Jon Dadi Bodvarsson’s goal record is questionable.
Martin has a lot to prove but could be just what they need.
Gary Madine (Bolton to Cardiff for £6million)
THE price tag is big.
Very big, for this level.
Madine has rarely been prolific but ten goals this term for skint Bolton is a good return and he should fit the Neil Warnock style perfectly.
Omar Bogle (Cardiff to Peterborough on loan)
BOGLE shot himself in the foot at Cardiff, earning a three-match ban for a horror challenge against Bristol City in November just when he was forcing his way into the team.
The Bluebirds did not see the best of him and some fans are disappointed Neil Warnock did not give him more of a shot.
Still, their loss is a huge gain for ambitious Posh.