Michael Bailey Norwich City have said goodbye to their second goalkeeper this summer with Bryan Gunn confirming Stuart Nelson will not be offered a new contract. The 27-year-old former Leyton Orient keeper did not make a first team appearance for the Canaries, having been signed by Glenn Roeder as a free agent last summer.

Michael Bailey

Norwich City have said goodbye to their second goalkeeper this summer with Bryan Gunn confirming Stuart Nelson will not be offered a new contract.

The 27-year-old former Leyton Orient keeper did not make a first team appearance for the Canaries, having been signed by Glenn Roeder as a free agent last summer.

“We haven't offered Stuart a new deal,” said Gunn. “We were speaking about this in the past few weeks and it was a delicate situation for me.

“I have got options on the goalkeeping front and that's what we are exploring now.

“We wish Stuart all the best in his future career. I know he came in last year on a one-year deal and was a tremendous back-up to David Marshall and never gave us a moment's trouble.

“But I felt this is an important position that I need to make sure I take my time to fill.”

Nelson is back to full fitness after undergoing surgery on an ankle injury in the summer and Gunn expects him to find a new club quickly.

“Stuart has come through his operation in the summer, he's back training now and he was doing his rehab up until yesterday, but it's likely he'll sign for another club in the coming weeks as well,” said Gunn. “So we wish him all the best and thank him for his efforts at Norwich City.”

With David Marshall having swiftly jumped ship following City's Championship relegation last season, it officially leaves academy product Declan Rudd as the club's only full-time goalkeeper - something the Norwich manager is aiming to put right, and quickly.

Add to that list a new target man in the mould of, say Alan Lee, and Gunn believes his League One squad is taking shape.

Gunn said: “A number one and a number nine. I think the spaces are still there to fill.

“Myself, John Deehan and David McNally are working hard behind the scenes to tie up a few of the deals. We've done a lot of groundwork during the summer and we're hopeful by the middle of next week we will have maybe three more faces in place. If we can do that, then the squad is starting to look solid, will certainly be contracted to Norwich City and that gives us an opportunity to be very competitive in the division.”