Speedy Routledge is snapped up by Toon

Newcastle today completed the signing of Wayne Routledge from Queens Park Rangers.

The 25-year-old winger, who scored seven times in 49 appearances for QPR, joins Chris Hughton's side on a three-and-a-half deal for an undisclosed fee.

Matt Hill makes his debut for Rangers against Nottingham Forest tonight. The defender, who is on loan from Wolves, said: “Every footballer wants to be playing and I wasn't getting that.QPR have given me the opportunity to do so.”

Meanwhile, Patrick Agyemang will spend the rest of the season on loan at Bristol City.

Jackett hopes Batt will bowl Southend over

Shaun Batt could make his Millwall debut against Southend tonight after completing a loan move from Championship club Peterborough.

Kenny Jackett has been anxious to bolster his strike options following injuries to Gary Alexander and Neil Harris.

Harris returned to action for the 1-0 win at Oldham last weekend but is again a doubt after picking up a groin strain. Alexander faces a further two months out after surgery.

At 6ft 4in, Batt is comfortable as a target man or on the right wing and is set to replace the out-of-form Lewis Grabban to partner Steve Morison.

Batt will be up against a former Fisher team-mate in Southend midfielder Damien Scannell.

Kevin's bad memory

Brentford skipper Kevin O'Connor seeks a win over Southampton tonight to wipe out the memories of FA Cup heartbreak five years ago.

The midfielder is the last remaining player from a fifth-round defeat in 2005 that prevented Brentford from taking on Manchester United. “It was gutting to miss out on playing against them,” he said.

“But the pressure's off us now. We'll go out with all guns blazing. When we played them before they were a Premiership team. Now we're above them.”

Doe back for Daggers

Dagenham will have the services of defender Scott Doe for tonight's clash with League Two play-off rivals Notts County.

The red card Doe received at Shrewsbury was overturned by the FA's disciplinary committee yesterday, giving him the green light to retain his place in manager John Still's defence.

Meanwhile, Barnet defender Ismail Yakubu is doubtful for tonight's visit of Torquay because of a muscle strain. He missed the defeat at Morecambe because of the problem.

Tonight's matches

(7.45 unless stated)

Coca-Cola Championship: Barnsley v Leicester, Bristol C v Cardiff, Doncaster v Middlesboro, Ipswich v West Brom, Nottm Forest v QPR, Peterborough v Preston, Plymouth v Derby, Sheff Utd v Reading, Swansea v Coventry.

League One: Swindon v Leeds, Hartlepool v Gillingham, Colchester v MK Dons, Exeter v Carlisle, Brentford v Southampton, Millwall v Southend, Stockport v Brighton, Tranmere v Yeovil, Walsall v Norwich.

League Two: Dagenham v Notts County, Accrington v Aldershot, Darlington v Northampton, Barnet v Torquay, Chesterfield v Rotherham, Macclesfield v Morecambe, Rochdale v Port Vale.