SPL striker linked to City switch

Last updated : 16 January 2008 By Rick Lamb
Uncertainty surrounding the future of Motherwell boss Mark McGhee at Fir Park may prove vital in helping Glenn Roeder lure Pars striker Chris Porter to Carrow Road.

McGhee, who has previoulsy managed Leicester, Wolves, Millwall and Brighton south of the border, has been given permission to speak to the SFA regarding the Scotland manager's position vacated by Alex McLeish's switch to Birmingham.

The situation at Fir Park is further clouded by the sombre mood following the death of captain Phil O'Donnell.

In the meantime, Porter, who joined from Oldham Athletic in the summer, began his career at Bury, last night's FA Cup conquerors of Norwich at Gigg Lane. He scored 20 goals in just over 50 starts for the Shakers before a move to Boundary Park.

At Oldham, 24-year-old Porter bagged 31 goals in just over 60 starts. He began life in the Scottish Premier League slowly before hitting five in his last seven matches, giving him a total of 11 for the season.

Porter was said to have been a Norwich target prior to his move north of the border, and is now thought to be attracting attention from the likes of Derby and Wigan in the Premier League and Sheffield United, Plymouth and Ipswich in the Championship, along with Norwich.

Roeder will be keen to add a striker to his squad with Chris Brown departed to Preston, David Strihavka released and youngsters Ryan Jarvis and Chris Martin failing to fire under the new boss. Should McGhee move on, the likelihood of 6'1" Porter being available would dramatically increase while Motherwell's UEFA Cup qualification hopes would take a nosedive.