Chris Lakey Gary Doherty admitted yesterday that his Norwich City career is all but over.The central defender has been told by manager Paul Lambert that he does not figure in his plans and is free to find another club.

Chris Lakey

Gary Doherty admitted yesterday that his Norwich City career is all but over after being told by manager Paul Lambert that he does not figure in his plans and is free to find another club.

Doherty was axed after the Carling Cup defeat by Sunderland a little over a fortnight ago and has not played a league game since Lambert arrived on August 24.

The 29-year-old has been linked with a move to Malky Mackay's Watford, but having admitted that he wants a clean break, may now have to wait until the transfer window opens again in January before he decides on his next move.

“The gaffer has obviously mentioned to me that he wants to bring in his own players, but I think it is up to me now whether I want to move on,” said Doherty. “I am looking at a few options and stuff and we will see what comes from it.

“I would rather get away, I don't know if a loan is a good idea, but I am just going to look at my options and see what the craic is, what's out there.”

Doherty, whose contract runs out at the end of this season, has told Lambert that he will be available for first team selection - but doesn't expect to get the call, especially with youngster David Stephens having been preferred on the bench recently.

Lambert has made Jens Berthel Askou a regular and for the last three games has paired him with Michael Nelson, whose injury against MK Dons on Monday has given Doherty a glimmer of hope.

“At the moment I just want things to fall into place,” said the Republic of Ireland international. “It's just a case of waiting for the right move to come along, something that I want.

“I am just holding tight, but if the gaffer needs me he knows that I am there. We have had a few knocks to centre halves and I have made it clear that if he needs me then I am there for him, but I am pretty far down the pecking order now so I don't really expect to be involved.”

Doherty joined City from Spurs in the summer of 2004 and has made 188 league and cup appearances. He was reinstated as skipper by Bryan Gunn last season after the departure of Mark Fotheringham, but saw his season begin to fall apart on the opening day.

“I started the season as captain and was looking forward to it,” he said. “But then we had a disastrous game at home to Colchester and then I lost my place.

“The gaffer feels that maybe I have gone a bit stale and maybe that's right, maybe I do need a change.

“It's a long time at one club, five years, and maybe a fresh start would do me good.”