Boothroyd gives inside line on Norwich City’s Tierney interest

Norwich City have again been linked with a potential January transfer window move for Colchester left-back Marc Tierney – but this time by Coventry boss Adie Boothroyd.

The Sky Blues’ chief revealed the Canaries are also in the running to sign the 25-year-old who is out of contract at the end of the season and who has reportedly rejected a new Colchester deal. Tierney was touted with a possible summer reunion with his former boss Paul Lambert before the City manager drafted in Steven Smith to challenge Adam Drury for the full-back slot.

Smith and Drury have since been sidelined with injuries at various stages of the first half of this campaign and although Drury returned against QPR last week, Lambert could be in the market for fresh reinforcements with midfielder Simon Lappin pressed into emergency service in recent games. Boothroyd stated earlier this week he had yet to make contact with his former club regarding Tierney, but the ex-Norwich youth coach is a confirmed admirer.

“He’s a very good player and I know Norwich are interested in him,” he said. “But before I start making statements about who we’re getting in, I have to make sure the deal is done – and we haven’t made contact with Colchester – if we were going to.”

Tierney is keen to resolve his future after missing the last four Colchester games through injury.

“The earlier it’s all sorted out, the better, because it puts to bed any rumours that have been flying around,” he said. “I’m out of contract at the end of the season and it would be better for everyone if it’s sorted out swiftly. But as a player, you can’t let yourself get distracted by speculation. You just want to carry on playing and that’s why it makes it all the more disappointing when you’re not out on the pitch.”

Us boss John Ward has already drafted in former Republic of Ireland U21 international Conor Powell from Bohemians but insists Tierney is still part of his immediate plans.

“He’s happy to get on and play but unfortunately he’s had a knee injury, a slight hamstring problem and a sore throat,” said Ward. “If he can recover from those problems, we’ll consider him for selection. He’ll (Conor) hopefully play a few games before the end of the season and beyond. We think we’ve got a good young player there with things to prove. The Irish season was completed a little while ago so he hasn’t been playing that regularly but it won’t be long before we get him going.”