Michael Bailey Norwich City manager Bryan Gunn has confirmed his January transfer activity will not stop at the loan arrival of midfielder David Carney.Monday's transfer deadline is quickly approaching and as the City boss looks to bring fresh faces into the club, he also stated the Australian's arrival is not as a precursor to one of his current first team squad leaving in the coming days.

Michael Bailey

Norwich City manager Bryan Gunn has confirmed his January transfer activity will not stop at the loan arrival of midfielder David Carney.

Monday's transfer deadline is quickly approaching and as the City boss looks to bring fresh faces into the club, he also stated the Australian's arrival is not as a precursor to one of his current first team squad leaving in the coming days.

“He's the first addition to the squad; he gives us good balance down the left hand side,” said Gunn, who dismissed Carney's addition could see players like David Bell or Lee Croft depart Carrow Road.

“As I said on Monday, we have had a chat with Lee and we have opened negotiations with his representative. That is probably happening at some stage this morning and I'll probably give you an update after the game on Friday night where we are with those.

“But from my discussions with Lee, he was very positive about Norwich City and he's focused on the job ahead. That's important to me and it's important to the fans, that we've got someone who's committed to the jersey.

“I've had phone calls about a few of our players, I must admit, but the conversations didn't last too long with certain managers and I've left it there.

“I don't need to sell, so it's given me an opportunity to keep the squad that we've got. I've got an opportunity to do what I want with the squad until the end of the season and until anything happens, I'm quite happy with the numbers we've got.”

That is not to say new faces will not enter the building before Monday's transfer deadline, the climax of what promises to be a busy period for Gunn.

“Yes - certainly before Monday at 5pm,” said Gunn, to whether new recruits were on their way. “The phone is busy, I've had a couple of managers on this morning already, just asking questions and that's what it will be like.

“Obviously I've got a journey up to Doncaster on the bus this afternoon and likewise, I'll be phoning managers to see what is available, what options.

“I don't think there will be big money spent in the coming days, not only by Norwich but by all the clubs. It sounds like most clubs are trying to do swaps and offload players.

“But John and Ian were out watching games [on Wednesday]. We identified two matches that there are possible targets in, so we'll have their recommendations on that as well.”

One player on Gunn's transfer hit list is Cardiff defender Darren Purse and although the Norwich manager admitted his interest, that is as far as any deal has gone - for now.

“We've got enquiries and phone calls in at a number of clubs and we have spoken to Cardiff, but that's as far as it's gone at the moment,” he added.

As for those players currently on his books, the City boss appears to have a virtually full squad to choose from for Friday's Championship trip to Doncaster.

Croft, Mark Fotheringham and Jonathan Grounds all picked up knocks during Norwich's 2-2 draw with Southampton at Carrow Road on Tuesday, but Gunn expects all three to be fit enough to be involved.

New signing Carney will have his fitness assessed during his first training session at Colney today, and is expected to start on the bench in South Yorkshire.

Dejan Stefanovic remains the only long-term absentee, while Fotheringham's one-match suspension after picking up his fifth booking against Southampton does not take effect until Norwich's midweek trip to league leaders Wolves.