Championship rumours: Middlesbrough prepare for Bolton Wanderers test | Leeds linked with £52million defender | Updates on Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest plus more

Reports today bring you all the latest news regarding Middlesbrough's game against Bolton Wanderers tonight. Leeds United are linked with a surprise move for a £52million pound defender, who joked about joining the club last night.

There is also reaction from yesterday's seven Championship games as well as looking ahead to tonight's five fixtures.

Here's the Championship rumour mill in full:

Aden Flint hopes Middlesbrough's return to the Riverside Stadium can kick-start their season when they face Bolton Wanderers tonight. (Middlesbrough FC)

Manchester City full-back Benjamin Mendy took to Twitter last night to praise Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa and joke about joining the club. Mendy tweeted 'Marcelo Bielsea' with three clapping emoji before a fan replied: 'I'd have you but Barry Douglas is very good'. Mendy then said: 'Ahaha ok, give me a call if needed bro' with a laughing face. (Twitter)

Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce hopes last night's 2-0 win over Rotherham United shuts a few people up after Villa moved to sixth in the table. (HITC)

Former Sheffield Wednesday youngster Sam Clare says he joined Scottish Premiership side Hearts because it was 'the right thing to move on'. (Evening Edinburgh News)

Ex-Sunderland boss Gus Poyet says he would be keen to manage again in England. (South China Morning Post)

A judge has criticised Swansea's Kristoffer Nordfeldt and Martin Olsson after they failed to appear in court over speeding charges because they were involved in an away game at Stoke. (Wales Online)

Alex Neil admits his Preston North End side are in a “rut” and that they need to kick-start their season sooner rather than later following last night's 3-0 defeat to Leeds. (Lancashire Evening Post)

Bristol City manager Lee Johnson believes his team failed to do the basics in their 4-2 loss at West Brom. (BristolLive)

Nottingham Forest manager Aitor Karanka is ready bring Portuguese duo Joao Carvalho and Gil Dias back into the fold this evening after the pair were rested following their exertions with their country. (NottinghamLive)

Bolton Wanderers manager Phil Parkinson dropped a hint he is considering freshening up his line-up at Middlesbrough tonight. Bolton were defeated 2-1 at home to QPR in their previous outing. (The Bolton News)

Nigel Adkins was left ruing missed chances as his Hull City side fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of newly promoted Wigan Athletic. (HullLive)