David Cuffley Winger Lee Croft has confirmed he wants to leave Norwich City.Manager Bryan Gunn said the Canaries' player of the season, who is out of contract next month, had informed him he would not sign the new deal on offer from by the club.

David Cuffley

Winger Lee Croft has confirmed he wants to leave Norwich City.

Manager Bryan Gunn said the Canaries' player of the season, who is out of contract next month, had informed him he would not sign the new deal on offer from by the club.

Said Gunn: “Lee has made it clear that he will want to move on to pastures new. We did have the discussion last week as I did with the other members of the squad and Lee sees his future elsewhere.

“Lee is out of contract. As the Barry Butler player of the year, somebody who the fans respected this season and voted for, it's an unfortunate scenario that's happened and, I suppose as a football club, we should wish Lee all the best in his future. In his time at Norwich, it has helped him develop as a player.”

Croft will be 24 in June and can move as a free agent.

Crystal Palace are the latest club reported to have joined the race to sign the former Manchester City forward.

Derby manager Nigel Clough has already confirmed he will be talking to Croft and his agent about a possible move to Pride Park, but Palace boss Neil Warnock is said to be desperate to bolster his side's attacking options and could also be in the hunt.

London sources suggest Croft has been identified by the Selhurst Park management team as a player who could aid their promotion push next season, especially as there would be no transfer fee involved.

Croft, signed by former boss Nigel Worthington for �600,000 in the summer of 2006, won the Barry Butler Memorial Trophy after scoring five times in 44 outings last season. He has made 131 senior appearances for City, scoring nine goals.