Cheltenham Town boss Martin Allen looks set to suffer transfer deadline day misery by being pipped at the post for Leicester midfielder James Wesolowski.

Allen was hoping to conclude a permanent deal for the tough-tackling Australian over the weekend – but that now looks unlikely to happen after another unnamed club entered the race to capture the Foxes midfielder.

Wesolowski made three appearances for the Robins last October before a loan spell at Whaddon Road was cut short after the midfielder suffered a broken ankle against Tranmere Rovers.

Allen was hoping to welcome Wesolowski back to Whaddon Road this morning to complete the final stages of his rehabilitation, but admitted last night that a deal to sign the midfielder permanently was now unlikely to happen.

The manager was unwilling to name the club set to beat Cheltenham to secure Wesolowski's services – although the Western Daily Press understands that Scottish Premier League side Dundee registered an interest in the player towards the end of last week.

It is also unlikely that any new faces will be joining Cheltenham ahead of this afternoon's transfer deadline, but one player that will not be exiting Whaddon Road is striker Damian Spencer.

The fit-again frontman went on as a half-time substitute against MK Dons on Saturday and netted a 13-minute hat-trick before being sent off in the closing minutes for a lunging tackle just days after being transfer-listed by Allen.

Spencer's treble was not enough to prevent the Robins slipping to a 5-3 defeat, but his performance persuaded the Cheltenham manager to remove him from the list.

"It's been a whirlwind week for me, being put on the list and now being taken off it," Spencer said.

"I also scored two for the reserves on Wednesday and now I have scored a hat-trick and got sent off so it's been a lot to take in.

"I haven't been fit since the manager came here so all I want to do now is play games and prove myself."

Spencer, who was believed to be interesting Yeovil Town boss Russell Slade last week, felt his straight red card in the 85th minute for a tackle on Dean Lewington was harsh and Allen will lodge an appeal with the Football Association today.

Meanwhile, defender Chris Westwood has a tight hamstring that could keep him out of tomorrow night's home clash with Tranmere Rovers and David Bird is also a doubt with back and neck problems. Defender Drissa Diallo could return from a knee injury following a six-week absence.