Blackburn Rovers midfielder Robbie Savage has extended his contract at Ewood Park until 2009.

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes said: “Robbie deserved the extension because he has been playing arguably the best football since he has been at the club.

“He is a big influence both on the field and off it.”

Sunderland are closing in on loaning Manchester United defenders Phil Bardsley and Jonny Evans.

Sunderland manager Roy Keane told his club’s official website: “Phil Bardsley came up here on Wednesday, had a look around and we had a good chat. He’s having a few days to think things over and hopefully he’ll come back with a positive answer.

“Jonny looks a done deal. I spoke with the manager at United [Sir Alex Ferguson] and Jonny’s agent yesterday. He will come here next week and is hoping to be at the game tomorrow.

“I’m absolutely delighted with that because he’ll be a top player. He’s young, hungry and he’s a tough lad. I’ve seen him play enough times.

“People might not know a lot about him but I know enough to know that he’ll add something to our team and our squad.

“I think it’s a great benefit for the player because if he’s trying to make a career at Manchester United, Sunderland is a great opportunity for him to come and play.

“He’s a centre-half who can also play at full-back, but I probably see him more as a centre-half.”

He added: “Bardo played here last year, in the Premiership with United. Things have not gone too well for him [on loan] at Rangers; he had a fall-out with the manager there, hopefully that’s the last of his fall-outs with managers!

“I’ve trained and played with Bardo enough times and it’s a great chance for him to come here and help us try to get back in the Premiership.”

The managers of both Liverpool and Newcastle United have denied that striker Peter Crouch will be leaving Anfield for St. James’ Park.

Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder said: “It is pure speculation and I would be surprised if he ended up becoming a Newcastle player.

“Someone knows more than I do. As far as I am concerned, there has not been a deal even spoken about.”

He added: “I really hate managers talking about other managers’ players.

“Peter Crouch is a Liverpool player and I do not think Rafael Benitez would appreciate me talking about Peter Crouch when he is not a Newcastle player.

“I said a month ago when I was asked, he is very talented and certainly deserves his place in the England team, in my opinion.

“But anything outside that would be unfair to Liverpool and the manager there.”

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said: “We are not interested in [Valencia's David] Villa.

“He’s a fantastic player but at this moment we’re not thinking of buying him and we’re not planning to sell Crouch.”

Wigan Athletic have taken yet another Scandinavian on loan, this time IK Start midfielder Kristofer Haestad has joined until the end of the season.

Wigan manager Paul Jewell told his club’s official website: We’ve been watching him for a while now, and I know that there were other Premiership clubs in the hunt too, so I’m delighted to have got him on board. He’s a player who I think has the right attributes to play in this country. He can play anywhere across the middle, and at 23, he’s exactly the right age to come and test himself in the Premiership.

“We’ll review the situation with Kristofer, and with Andreas [Granqvist], at the end of the season, but for the time being, I want them both just to focus on playing for Wigan Athletic for the rest of this season.”

Haestad added: “It is a dream to play in England, and I am grateful to Wigan for taking the chance on me. Now I want to do all I can to repay them and prove that I am good enough to make it in the best league in the world.

“I know all about Wigan, English football is followed very closely in Norway, and I know what an ambitious club this is and what a talented manager they have. Now I can’t wait to join up with the rest of the team and fight for my place.”