Fowler link denied

Last updated : 28 December 2005 By Rick Lamb
With just a few days before the transfer window opens, Nigel Worthington has already had to begin denying links to potential new recruits.

The first is former England international Robbie Fowler, who has failed to establish himself in Stuart Pearce's plans following a back injury and is being touted for a drop to down to the Championship. The link to the Canaries was strengthened by reported sightings of Fowler in the Norwich area, a long way from his North West roots at this time of year.

Worthington, however, moved quickly to dispel a switch to Carrow Road for the ex-Liverpool and Leeds United hotshot, joking that the scouser, who has a vast array of property investments, may have been in Norwich to eye up the housing market.

"Everyone seems to have been sighted in Norwich since I have been here," the Ulsterman told the Eastern Daily Press. "He might have been buying a house, who knows. I hear he has got 80 properties - maybe he wants 81!"

Worthington, who has steered his side into the top half of the table with three successive victories, also stated that he would be looking to bring in "hungry" players, making mooted moves for lower division talent like Mansfield's Giles Coke and Colchester's Mark Yeates (currently on loan from Spurs) far more likely than a pricey punt on Fowler.