Michael Bailey Norwich City manager Bryan Gunn has revealed he is in regular contact with Darren Huckerby - but has given no clues as to whether the winger might eventually return to Carrow Road.

Michael Bailey

Norwich City manager Bryan Gunn has revealed he is in regular contact with Darren Huckerby - but has given no clues as to whether the winger might eventually return to Carrow Road.

After being named Major League Soccer's newcomer of the year last season, Huckerby started his first full campaign with San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, after their 2008 campaign ended just short of making the end-of-season play-offs.

With the 32-year-old's 18-month contract at San Jose due to expire in the summer, rumours surfaced at the weekend that the fans favourite could return to Norwich after his season in the States finishes in November.

And, as reported in the Evening News on Wednesday, such a move would be popular with the majority of City fans and the club's supporters groups.

However, Gunn would not be drawn on whether his contact with Huckerby could develop into a dramatic return for the City legend, who was unceremoniously dumped by former manager Glenn Roeder 10 months ago.

New recruits are likely to be on Gunn's mind as he sets out to put the Canaries' international break to good use this weekend, with a couple of spying missions.

The City boss was planning a League One double header, watching Southend's clash with Hartlepool at Roots Hall last night, before watching leaders Leicester City's visit to title rivals Peterborough United at London Road today.

But most of the speculation this week centred around Huckerby, something Gunn admitted he was aware of.

“Where I am with Hucks is that Hucks and I keep in touch and he's wishing me all the best, and he's supporting us from afar,” said Gunn. “I do know his contract situation is for another season, but when that season finishes in the US, I'm not entirely sure.

“Hucks is a player who I was excited about when he came to this club because I was part of the sponsorship team at the time and he certainly made an impression during his time here.

“He had an unfortunate situation under the previous management and he took the opportunity to go to the States, so I'll continue to keep in touch with Hucks.”

With his own contract as City manager due to expire at the end of the season, any plans Gunn has for next season clearly depend on where City finish in their Championship survival battle.

The current deals of Gunn's assistant Ian Butterworth, and first team coach Ian Crook, are also set to expire in the summer.