Across the second tier 17 clubs have added to their squads so far in the January transfer window. Yet to recruit are Leeds United, Middlesbrough, West Brom, Bristol City, Sheffield Wednesday, Coventry ...

And fresh from that highly controversial decision, the EFL have confirmed that Allison has been appointed to take charge at ...

Cue a nervous wait and an increasingly large pile of chewed fingernails on Wearside. Thankfully, by Monday lunchtime, Regis Le Bris, in that calming way of his, had swooped in to allay Mackem fears.