Norwood and Batty join Scunthorpe on short-term dealspublished at 14:37 BST 26 September
14:37 BST 26 September
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Image caption,
James Norwood has won promotion to the EFL with both Oldham and Tranmere
Scunthorpe United have signed forward James Norwood and midfielder Dan Batty on short-term deals.
Norwood, 36, spent last season in League Two with Fleetwood Town, for whom he scored six times in 24 appearances, while Batty was part of York City's National League title-winning squad.
Norwood played in the Oldham Athletic side in 2025 that won promotion to the English Football League, scoring one of the Latics' goals in their promotion final win over Southend United at Wembley.
During a career in which he has scored more than 200 goals, he counts Ipswich Town, Barnsley, Tranmere Rovers and Exeter City among his previous clubs.
Batty, 28, played over 100 games in a three-year spell with York before he was released following the Minstermen's promotion.
Brennan expects tough test against Fleetwoodpublished at 19:11 BST 10 September
19:11 BST 10 September
Eleeza Khan BBC Sport Wales
Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
Newport County midfielder Ciaran Brennan expects a "tough" test against Fleetwood Town as the Exiles aim to preserve their unbeaten home record.
Fleetwood arrive in south Wales unbeaten in their opening five League Two matches and buoyed by their 2-0 win over Shrewsbury Town.
While the Cods are bidding for consecutive league wins, Newport will be looking to recover from last Saturday's late 1-0 loss at Northampton Town.
But Brennan believes home advantage could prove decisive for The Exiles.
"At home you can see it, we feed off the fans and the crowd," said Brennan.
After failing to score at Northampton, the Irishman also highlighted the club's need to be more effective at both ends of the pitch.
Newport have had less than 50% possession in five of their six League Two matches this season, and Brennan admits spending long periods without the ball can be demanding.
While boss Hayden Mullins has stressed the importance of making possession count, Brennan feels there are times when County could ease pressure by keeping hold of the ball for longer.
"There's no point in having possession just to pass around the back. Fans don't pay to see that," he added.
"When I was a kid, I didn't want to watch that. You want to see chances, crosses and shots on goal.
"But there are times when we've defended for five or six minutes, won the ball back and then given it away again.
"Whereas if we have a little spell on the ball it doesn't have to be around the back it can be wherever it just relieves pressure."
Brennan has started alongside Cameron Evans in all but one of Newport's games so far this season and feels the pair are building a strong partnership.
"Cameron's a great lad, he's one of my closest pals here so it works really well.
"We're just two honest lads, we'll run and run and run until we can't anymore.
"But we just need to be a bit more patient when we get the ball back. I think there's times where we can't be 100 miles an hour all the time and we can just have a spell on the ball"
Despite three games without a win, Brennan says morale remains high ahead of Newport's return to Rodney Parade.
"We will be looking to get right after them (Fleetwood) as always, get the crowd behind us and, see where it takes us."
Gateshead sign defender Holgate and forward Hiwulapublished at 19:08 BST 4 September
19:08 BST 4 September
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Image caption,
Harrison Holgate appeared in 24 Fleetwood Town games last season
Gateshead have signed defender Harrison Holgate and forward Jordy Hiwula in deals until the end of the season.
Holgate, 26, was a free agent after leaving League Two Fleetwood Town where he had spent his entire career, playing more than a century of games for them.
Much-travelled Hiwula, 31, was last at fellow National League side Boston United, for whom he scored seven goals in 39 appearances last season.
The pair are both eligible for Gateshead's fixture at home to Solihull Moors on Saturday (15:00 BST).
Follow EFL transfer deadline daypublished at 08:53 BST 1 September
08:53 BST 1 September
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Transfer deadline day is upon us and today is the final chance for your EFL club to finalise any business until January.
The transfer window closes at 23:00 BST, so we might have some late night scrambles to get deals over the line.
There has already been plenty of movement this summer and whether it's a busy or quiet day for your club, you will be able to keep across it all on BBC Sport.
Fleetwood sign Bristol City midfielder Murphypublished at 18:32 BST 21 August
18:32 BST 21 August
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Image caption,
Adam Murphy made five appearance for Swindon Town last season before an ankle injury cut his loan spell short
Fleetwood Town have signed Bristol City midfielder Adam Murphy on a six-month loan deal.
Murphy, 21, made five appearances during a loan spell with Swindon Town last season.
The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international could make his Cod Army debut against Gillingham on Saturday.
"Once I spoke to the gaffer and he outlined what he wanted me to do and how he wants us to play, I felt it aligned with the strengths I can bring," he told the club website.
Fleetwood's Thompson-Sommers out for four monthspublished at 12:43 BST 20 August
12:43 BST 20 August
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Image caption,
Kane Thompson-Sommers will be out for up to four months
Fleetwood Town's Kane Thompson-Sommers faces up to four months on the sidelines following surgery.
Thompson-Sommers, 25, was forced off injured on only his second appearance for Fleetwood in Saturday's victory at Chesterfield and had an operation on Tuesday.
Head coach Matt Lawlor told the club website:, external "Kane will be out for months, not weeks. He'll be back in three to four months, which is disappointing for us and also for Kane.
"I thought he started really, really well, and I was so pleased to get him in. So we wish nothing but the best for him while he's recovering."
Former Tottenham youngster Thompson-Sommers moved from MK Dons for an undisclosed fee in the summer and his injury has prompted Lawlor to target another midfielder before the transfer window closes.
🎧 Welcome back to… 72+published at 14:59 BST 11 August
14:59 BST 11 August
The 72+ podcast is BACK and it's got a brand new home.
Follow along as Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff dive into the biggest stories across the EFL, with expert analysis, exclusive guests and the moments everyone is talking about.
A new episode drops on Tuesday night so make sure not to miss it by clicking subscribe on the new 72+: The EFL Podcast BBC Sounds page here.
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