David Cuffley Norwich City's summer recruitment may not stop at a dozen new faces - but manager Bryan Gunn believes he now has a squad well equipped for the League One campaign.

David Cuffley

Norwich City's summer recruitment may not stop at a dozen new faces - but manager Bryan Gunn believes he now has a squad well equipped for the League One campaign.

Yesterday's double signing of Danish defender Jens Berthel Askou and Serbian striker Goran Maric took Gunn's list of close season newcomers to 12, all but one of them on permanent deals.

Both players arrived on Bosman free transfers with Askou, 26, signing a two-year contract, while former Barcelona B forward Maric, 25, put pen to paper for one year.

Gunn is now content to let his reshaped squad get on with the business of preparing for the first league game at home to Colchester in eight days' time, but is keeping his options open on further signings before the end of August.

He said: “I have been backed in everything I have tried to do so far but I wouldn't be doing my job right if I didn't ask questions if there was an opportunity to improve the squad and it was affordable.

“I know what budget I can work within and it's important to know that.

“I won't be knocking on the door in the next couple of days. There is a lot of squad to bed down.”

He said he was happy to start the season with the squad now in place.

“The two new signings were with us in Scotland with the other new signings and it's important to bed down those relationships,” said Gunn.

“The important thing is I've told everyone that we are in this together and they are all contracted to the club.

“I am confident we have got quality players competing for every position but you have to be prepared for injuries and suspensions.”

He said Askou and Maric, whose signings were announced to 700 fans attending yesterday's Carrow Road training session, were “at the right level” to be offered contracts.

“Both adapted well to our style of play and the physical elements, which will be needed in League One this season,” said Gunn. “I'm delighted they have signed - both had offers from other clubs, but the attractiveness of Norwich City Football Club, the facilities and supporters have all played their part again.”

Gunn said Maric's decision to sign was not announced sooner because the player had been in Belgrade earlier this week.

“We have had discussions on the telephone but we waited until he was back into the country and he had a medical late on Wednesday night,” he said.

Maric scored two goals in three games while on the pre-season tour of Scotland, netting against St Johnstone and Airdrie United. He has spent his career to date in his adopted country, Spain, and spent last season on loan with Barcelona B from Celta Vigo.

Askou scored the third goal against Airdrie. The Dane returned to Norfolk to train with the Canaries and played the full 90 minutes last Saturday in the 1-1 draw at home to a Manchester United XI.

Askou joins after spending two years in Turkey with top-flight side Kasimpasa, where he made 57 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice. Before moving abroad, he played for Danish sides Silkeborg and Holstebro.

City were last night waiting for international clearance to include the two players in the final friendly at home to Wigan tomorrow.

But one man who will not be added to Gunn's summer recruits is Gambian striker Cherno Samba, who scored in the 4-1 victory at Thetford on Wednesday night.

“We decided not to take it any further,” said Gunn. “We need players who are ready to go straight into the first team and make an impact. He scored a goal but I didn't see him being a player who would be on the teamsheet next week.”