Paddy Davitt Norwich midfielder Sammy Clingan is set to complete his protracted move to Coventry this week.Sky Blues boss Chris Coleman confirmed yesterday a reported �650,000 deal for the Northern Ireland international was back on following fresh talks over the weekend.

Paddy Davitt

Norwich midfielder Sammy Clingan is set to complete his protracted move to Coventry this week.

Sky Blues boss Chris Coleman confirmed yesterday a reported �650,000 deal for the Northern Ireland international was back on following fresh talks over the weekend.

Coleman had threatened to pull out of a move for his number one summer transfer target after baulking at financial demands made by Clingan's representatives.

Clingan was omitted from City's successful mini Scottish tour once the two clubs had reached agreement on a fee for the influential midfielder but his impending move appeared to have collapsed towards the end of last week.

“It is still bubbling,” said Coleman. “I think one or two people have come to their senses, which I am glad about, but we have got other targets as well. We all know we need to improve the squad that we have got and we will do that before the window ends, I'm certain of that.

“We have had a fruitful couple of days, making up a bit of ground on certain players with certain clubs, prices and personal terms but we will have to wait and see. The chairman has never let me down when I have asked for a player and with a bit of luck this week, fingers crossed and say my prayers, we might have a new face or two.”

Coventry's Championship rivals Leicester had been linked with an 11th hour approach after Coleman's hard line stance but Clingan is keen on a Ricoh switch.

Canaries' chief Bryan Gunn is expected to unveil Clingan's replacement Simon Whaley today - subject to the Preston midfielder successfully passing his Carrow Road medical. Whaley travelled to Norwich yesterday following talks with Gunn at Norwich's Scottish training base.

North End boss Alan Irvine confirmed Whaley's impeding exit after revealing he has already lined up potential replacements for the 24-year-old and club captain Paul McKenna who has recently left for Notts Forest.

“I have got people in mind who I would love to be able to bring to the club,” said Irvine yesterday. ”Obviously they have to fall within our budget and that makes is more difficult, because you are looking to improve rather than just to stand still. We will see whether we are able to pull off any of these particular deals.

“You are always looking and are mindful of players who might be available who could strengthen your squad, so before Simon went and before Paul went we had players in mind for different positions. You have to be ready. At any moment you could lose a player in any position. At many clubs, not just at Preston, every player has his price, so you can't just wait until after somebody has left to look for possible alternatives.”

Gunn is still in the market for a targetman after running the rule over ex-Leeds striker Michael Bridges and Serbian import Goran Maric north of the border.