CHRIS LAKEY Norwich City are ready to dispense with the services of up to four players during the January transfer window.

CHRIS LAKEY

Norwich City are ready to dispense with the services of up to four players during the January transfer window.

Manager Glenn Roeder has already allowed one player to leave after goalkeeper Paul Gallacher's contract was cancelled by mutual consent.

Another keeper, Joe Lewis, is set for a big-money move to League Two neighbours Peterborough, but Roeder is expecting more to past through the exit door.

Speculation has linked striker Chris Brown with a move to Doncaster Rovers, where he was on loan five years ago, but there are a number of obvious candidates among the City squad.

Ian Murray has been touted for a return to Scotland, while Julien Brellier and David Strihavka are out of the picture altogether and while Simon Lappin has struggled to win his place back, Roeder may need him as cover.

Brown has made two short appearances as a sub since the 3-0 defeat at Plymouth in mid-November - a performance which has become something of a low water mark in Roeder's reign - and Roeder admitted he could prove to be a wanted man.

"There was a fair bit of interest in Chris Brown before the window closed and I wouldn't be surprised if there was interest again in him, but as yet no one has picked the phone up to me at all," he said.

"It is all rumour and speculation and I have not had a bid for any of our players."

Roeder has made it clear there are too many "squad fillers" at Carrow Road, but expects to shift some of them by January 31.

"We have too many squad fillers, too many players just jogging on the spot here, and jogging on the spot means you are going backwards, because the people in front are going away from you and the ones behind are catching you up," he said. "I'm really hopeful I can move out three or four, probably four more than three."

"As soon as I can get them in I will get them in, and I have permission to. It is all about now, getting players in for the Barnsley game."

Roeder believes that wheeling and dealing in the transfer market is tough - but admits he loves it.

"Me, a boy from east London, apples and pears and all that, a good mentor in Harry Redknapp - yes, I suppose I do," he said.

"I think this is the hardest part of being a manager, and you can, over a period of time, swim or sink on the recruitment that you make and the business that you do, because at the end of the day the players still are the most important commodity at a football club because they are the ones who cross the white line and go out and produce and win the games.

"So, if you bring in poor quality you will get poor quality performances and lower your standards - and you're in trouble."