City show determination to keep prize asset

The Norwich City board are proving as good as their word so far in their efforts to keep Dean Ashton from the greedy hands of Premiership clubs. Wigan boss Paul Jewell told Sky Sports yesterday that he had been rebuffed in the summer when attempting to capture City's record signing, who later penned a new contract. Jewell was not put off, but recent developments suggest now that he may have been. "We've asked again but with the price they're asking, it's silly money as they don't want to sell him," said the Wigan boss, who suggested prices may have gone up due to his side's surprise success. "I understand that. Just because we're doing well and because the chairman (JJB boss Dave Whelan) has got a few quid, I'm not going to pay too far over the odds for players, and at that price we won't be interested." The news is heartening for Canaries fans fearful of another stressful transfer window, with Manchester City and Charlton also said to be sniffing around the club's top scorer. Ashton will be in the side to face Leicester at the Walkers Stadium this afternoon and will hope to add to his 10 goals this season and propel Nigel Worthington's side to a fifth straight victory.