Chris Lakey Canaries director Michael Foulger says money will be made available to enable manager Glenn Roeder to enter the January transfer market - but the club have yet to make inroads on new investment.

Chris Lakey

Canaries director Michael Foulger says money will be made available to enable manager Glenn Roeder to enter the January transfer market - but the club have yet to make inroads on new investment.

“We will back Glenn in January,” said Foulger. “There will be money available for him.”

Roeder made five permanent signings in the summer, but has relied heavily on loan players. There is unlikely to be any significant funding available - but Foulger is hoping Roeder's imports will be as successful as his summer transfer dealings.

“The board's aim is to find him cash to try and get another five players like that,” said Foulger. “If he can get four more Sammy Clingans I vote him manager of the year.”

Roeder's cause will be helped if City find new investment, and although they have enlisted the help of deal-maker Keith Harris, the current economic climate would appear to be against them.

Joint majority shareholder Michael Wynn Jones said: “Delia and myself have been around the City and have talked to a number of companies whose business it is to find this sort of investment, in particular Keith Harris. Admittedly he has his hands full - I saw Keith two days ago and while I wouldn't say he was bullish, nor is he actually saying it is a hopeless task. If that is a straw, let's cling to it. But be assured that the search is going on every day, I promise you.”

Roeder admits the reality of the club's financial situation means he will be shopping in the lower end of the market for free transfers and out-of-contract players.

Carl Cort was signed this week for nothing, with the injury-hit 31-year-old's salary dependant on appearances. “If he plays he will earn more than if he is not fit to play,” explained Roeder. “He will not be taking a lot of money out of the club so he needs to be fit.”

Roeder face decisions on several loan players: Antoine Sibierski is likely to return to Wigan while there are questions marks over defenders Elliott Omozusi, Ryan Bertrand and John Kennedy and young striker Omar Koroma.

“Antoine has done as well as he could with the injuries he has been carrying,” said Roeder. “He has even gone out there when he shouldn't have done. I suppose he could be someone we would like to have done better and whether he stays or not has yet to be decided.

“Ryan Bertrand will probably have to go back (to Chelsea) in January - then we will have to get another left-back in because we need to have two players for every position.

“OJ (Koroma) hasn't really pulled up any trees and we will decide in the next few weeks whether we will retain him for the second half of the season.”