Wigan defender Ryan Taylor is available for loan - but manager Steve Bruce says Norwich City's reported interest is "news to me". Bruce is ready to tell any other potential suitors: "You can borrow him, but he's not for sale."

Wigan defender Ryan Taylor is available for loan - but manager Steve Bruce says Norwich City's reported interest is “news to me”.

Bruce is ready to tell any other potential suitors: “You can borrow him, but he's not for sale.”

Taylor played the full 90 minutes for the reserves in the 2-1 win against Middlesbrough last night to get some much-needed match fitness.

Ex-City skipper Bruce told the Wigan Evening Post he was happy to allow the 24-year-old out on loan to get regular first-team football.

Bruce's former club, Birmingham, were said to be interested in Taylor, but they signed Nicky Hunt from Bolton on Monday.

“I believe there was a little interest from Birmingham, but they have probably gone for Hunt because he has been playing regularly. Norwich is news to me - I haven't heard about that one,” said Bruce.

Taylor, whose contract is up at the end of the season, has managed only nine minutes of Premier League football this term after suffering a shin injury on the pre-season trip to Austria.

“There have been a couple of little inquiries,” said Bruce. “But I think most clubs are a little concerned he hasn't played for two or three months.

“It is a big time for him because he is out of contract in the summer. But I like him, I like to have him round the place and I like his ability.

“His delivery from set-pieces is a hell of a weapon to have. But the boy needs to go out and play somewhere.

“He just needs to get games under his belt because it has been such a frustrating time for the kid.

“He wants to play football. He came to speak to me last week and we had a conversation about it.

“I said if there was something that would be a benefit for him and a benefit for us then I would have no problem with it, no objection at all.

“If he can go out and play some football and come back after a month having had a run of games it could suit everyone.”