DAVID CUFFLEY Former City star Ian Crook left the door open for a return to Carrow Road from Australia when he said: “I still have a real desire for Norwich as a place and a club."

DAVID CUFFLEY

Former City star Ian Crook left the door open for a return to Carrow Road from Australia when he said: “I still have a real desire for Norwich as a place and a club.”

Crook, currently assistant coach at Sydney FC - where former England defender Terry Butcher is head coach - is one of the names inevitably linked with the vacancy created by the sacking of Nigel Worthington as City manager on Sunday.

Some reports suggest the 43-year-old former midfielder could return to English football in harness with ex-Tottenham and Norwich team-mate Mark Bowen, currently Blackburn's assistant manager, though West Bromwich Albion has also been mentioned as a possible destination.

Crook, seventh in City's all-time appearance list after playing 418 senior games in 11 years, stopped short of saying he would apply for the Norwich job, but the idea of returning to the place he regards as home clearly appeals to him.

Speaking from Adelaide after Sydney FC's 4-1 victory over Adelaide United yesterday, he admitted: “I still have a close affiliation to Norwich. I still have a real desire for Norwich as a place and a club and it's the first result I look for.

“My mother and father are still living in North Walsham. Norwich is home and has always been home to us. My boys were born there. For years it was a big part of my life.”

He said it was “really flattering” to be mentioned as a potential candidate at Norwich, but he stressed: “I am very happy at Sydney. I have got a job here at the moment and I just need to get my head down here. We have to see what occurs.

“I don't know exactly what the situation is at Norwich. I just hope whatever they do they will have a successful time.”

As for the Bowen connection, Crook said: “Mark's in a pretty good job already. He's doing a great job at Blackburn with Mark Hughes. I still keep in touch with him and we talk about different things at his club and mine.”

Crook said his wife was flying back to England at the weekend for a family funeral.

Meanwhile, reigning Hyundai A-League champions Sydney FC take on Queensland Roar in their next match at Aussie Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Italian striker Benito Carbone scored on his Sydney debut in the victory over Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium.