The most comprehensive Roeder rumour round-up ever

Last updated : 16 July 2008 By Rick Lamb
With technically the first game of the season tonight, many City fans would have expected a far greater turnover of players than the three confirmed arrivals we have seen thus far.

Wes Hoolahan from Blackpool and Nottingham Forest's Sammy Clingan have arrived to bolster the midfield, while Chelsea youngster Ryan Bertrand has returned on loan to provide the defensive focus of the left side.

But with the departure of Matthew Gilks to Blackpool as part of the Hoolahan deal having created another weak area behind first choice goalkeeper David Marshall, the thin areas of centre back (two bodies, one coveted by Wolves and one only re-signed by the skin of his teeth) and centre forward (little Jamie Cureton and too-big Chris Martin) still desperately need manager Glenn Roeder's attention.

There have been a multitude of names banded about for a multitude of positions. Below are the players still technically available and a brief assessment of the likelihood of seeing them in Norwich's fancy new yellow shirt next term.

Goalkeepers:

Mark Tyler - The Peterborough goalkeeper has been pushed out of the reckoning at Layer Road since the arrival of Joe Lewis from... Norwich. Tyler, who like Lewis began his career at Carrow Road but never made the breakthrough, has said he would relish a return to Norfolk, preferring to be a second choice keeper in the Championship than in League One. At the moment this looks pretty likely.

Steve Harper - Newcastle's back-up Shay Given (in looks and ability - he's a dead ringer for the Irishman) was linked in the January transfer window. Like Norwich coach Lee Clark he's a born a bred Geordie and, with Given constantly linked to Arsenal among other big sides, looks a very long shot.

Defenders:

Jack Cork - A loan at best, the Chelsea defender spent last term on loan at Scunthorpe and impressed despite their relegation. Glenn Roeder is not the only manager interested, but he does seem to have a good relationship with Frank Arnesen which could count in Norwich's favour.

Tamas Kadar - Newcastle's Hungarian under-21 international defender was reported yesterday to have joined on loan. This is unconfirmed but, given Roeder's penchant for a loan and his knowledge of the players and the staff at Newcastle's academy, it looks a good bet.

Ian Harte - Formerly of Leeds and Levante, Harte has been told he can leave Sunderland on a free. He was first mentioned as a Norwich target in January, when Ipswich were also said to be interested. He was linked again at the end of the season but this appears to have gone cold. Watford have been put into the frame and Harte is apparently now on trial at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Kaspar Gorkss - Blackpool defender Gorkss, a Latvian International, is said to have the same release clause that allowed Norwich to obtain Wes Hoolahan on the cheap. QPR were believed to have all but signed him, the player even had a medical, but Seasiders chairman Karl Oyston took exception to their speaking to the player before permission had been given. The move is now up in the air but Roeder would potentially still be interested.

Nikolce Noveski - FSV Mainz centre or left back and potential foundationless internet rumour.

Gavin Hoyte - Younger brother of fellow Arsenal player Justin, the right back could come on a loan deal but, with Wenger often using the pre-season programme as a rare means of integrating the younger stars into his first team squad, this may happen closer to the start of the season.

Dejan Stefanovic - Fulham defender Stefanovic is in the post, according to The Sun.

Elliot Omozusi - A clubmate of Stefanovic, the youngster could join the Serbian at Carrow Road in a loan move if the same Sun article is to be believed.

Martin Taylor - With Alex McLeish apparently deciding that scoring not stopping goals will get Birmingham back from their somewhat surprising relegation, and with the widely acknowledged belief that Taylor is a quality Championship defender, 'Tiny' looks like staying at St Andrews. The Eduardo incident seems to have actually helped his Blues career, when many thought it would put the final nail in the coffin during a period when he was halfway out of the door. Maybe next year?

Midfielders Alan Gow - I'm putting Gow down as a midfielder because Soccerbase does, although there seems some conjecture about him being a striker. A goal roughly every three starts in his career might suggest he's at least a very attacking midfielder. Regardless, despite his agent desperately trying to play up a move south of the border in the press, the trail seems to have gone cold. Speculation was that it was because of the rumoured takeover but, now that has faded away, there is still no progress. Birmingham's interest could further scupper this deal.

Maceo Rigters - Much like Steve Bruce leaving Birmingham foiled Roeder in securing Martin Taylor on a permanent deal, Mark Hughes' defection down the M62 from Blackburn to Manchester City seems to have done the same for Maceo Rigters. The Dutchman's loan spell was cut short by injury last season but Hughes had decided he wasn't going to cut it at Ewood Park. A lot will depend on whether David Bentley, Roque Santa Cruz or Benni McCarthy leave and the availability of replacements like Jermaine Pennant.

David Bell - The Luton midfielder's versatility and long range shooting make him an attractive proposition despite having played for two sides who were relegated last season. Leicester wanted to make his end of season loan spell permanent and Norwich and Coventry made bids, but the Hatters, despite their parlous financial state, are holding out for more money or, more likely, the end of their administration. A long shot, but still possible.

Gary Roberts - The latest hot prospect off the Crewe Alexandra production line was mentioned early in the summer but the trail has gone cold.

James Brown - Injury concerns from his former coach at Hartlepool and prominent member of Roeder's current staff Paul Stephenson would appear to have ended the rumours about Jeff Stelling's favourite soul-singing winger.

Attackers:

Peter Thompson - We should know more about this in the next couple of days. There will rarely have been more interest from Norfolk in a Linfield Champions League qualifier than in their tie this evening. A potential steal at around £100,000 for a player who hit 44 goals last season.

Ched Evans - Did he enjoy his loan spell as much as the Carrow Road faithful did? If so, we might see him, if not, expect to see him representing a rival Championship club in another loan spell.

Antoine Sibierski - A very underrated player who would be a real force in the Championship and who Steve Bruce has apparently said can leave Wigan. Fingers crossed on this one, although wages may be a factor.

Shola Ameobi - Can we really afford him? Is it all agent speak? Roeder certainly admires him, but his lean spell at Stoke at the end of last season doesn't inspire confidence. Could go either way whether we capture him, and then again as to whether he's the new Darren Beckford or the next Dean Ashton.

Andy Carroll - Potentially the consolation prize for missing out on Ameobi would be the loan of Carroll, which could be a blessing in disguise.

Nathan Tyson - Colin Calderwood told Roeder to do one when he enquired earlier in the summer, but having captured Robert Earnshaw and Andrew Cole he may be prepared to do business.

Grzegorz Rasiak - The Pole was allegedly snatched from Roeder's grasp by Bolton's Gary Megson in the transfer window, but all has gone quiet since. Southampton are skint and he will be on Premier League wages, but is a cracking player at this level.

Clinton Morrison - Looks set to join Coventry on a free, which is a shame.

Jermaine Beckford - Like Morrison, probably a bit of a tool but also a very handy striker. Leeds seem mysteriously flush for a club close to going out of business a year ago, so probably won't sell unless silly money is offered.

Izale McLeod - Charlton have a surplus of strikers and he terrorised the canaries when he came on at the Valley for a rare appearance. Constantly linked with Norwich when at MK Dons. A possible Plan B if other targets fall through.

Joe Garner - The Carlisle striker has been mentioned a couple of times but with nothing concrete.