^ CLICK IMAGE ABOVE TO SEE THE 4 BIGGEST EFL STORIES OF THE DAY ^

Another weekend of action in the EFL looms, but here we highlight the four biggest EFL stories of the day........

Birmingham City have signed French striker Jeremie Bela on a three-year deal following a contract row with his previous club, Spanish side Albacete, the 26-year-old still needs international clearance but as a free agent would be available to play straight away, having already spent some time training with Blues.

He had been in dispute with Albacete, who wanted him to sign a new deal but they have now agreed to void his contract extension for this season.

Championship strugglers Stoke City have made an official approach for Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill, it has been reported on Sky Sports, as the Potters seek a successor to Nathan Jones who was sacked on 1 November after just nine months in charge.

It is believed Stoke are negotiating with the Irish FA over how much compensation would have to be paid for the former international player, 50, who has been NI boss for eight years, leading them to the Euro 2016 finals.

Despite calls in some quarters to recall winger Grady Diangana from his loan spell at West Brom in January, Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed that he wants the 21-year-old to stay on loan with the Baggies for the rest of the season, as confirmed on the club website.

The 21-year-old winger joined the Baggies on loan in the summer and has been on fire for the Baggies in the Championship but Pellegrini told reporters “I trust a lot in Grady. He will be ready for next season. We must continue supporting him. He must finish his season where he is.”

Morecambe have appointed former Plymouth Argyle boss Derek Adams as their new manager, with the 44-year-old agreeing a two-and-a-half-year contract at the Globe Arena following the resignation of Jim Bentley, it has been confirmed on the club website.

Adams was sacked by the Pilgrims just over six months ago as they headed towards relegation from League One, but in just under four years at Argyle, he led them to the 2016 League Two play-off final before guiding them to automatic promotion a year later.