No helping hand from Henry

The transfer window may have closed but, with Rocky sold and Big Lad out for up to six weeks with his fractured cheekbone, we're continuing to scour the globe for anyone unattached or out-of-contract who might possibly be able to fill the void. Today's Express claims we offered former Arsenal striker and sometime international basketball player Thierry Henry more than £100,000 a week to entice him to St James' Park from the MLS.

The scourge of the Republic of Ireland was of course one of the finest players in world football - but the operative word is "was" and he no longer has the va va voom of yore. Still, desperate times call for desperate (and short-termist) measures, and he would almost certainly have been a better option than the other available ex-Arsenal Frenchman whose name is being bandied about, Jeremie Aliadiere.

Meanwhile, Wayne Routledge continues to look more at home in the Championship, scoring a decisive late goal last night that helped QPR extend their lead at the top of the table.