David Cuffley Norwich City boss Bryan Gunn admits he is close to making his first summer signing - with the start of pre-season training less than three weeks away. Gunn has yet to add to his one permanent recruit from last season, striker Cody McDonald, but hinted that at least one new face would be through the doors at Colney before the end of the week.

David Cuffley

Norwich City boss Bryan Gunn admits he is close to making his first summer signing - with the start of pre-season training less than three weeks away.

Gunn has yet to add to his one permanent recruit from last season, striker Cody McDonald, but hinted that at least one new face would be through the doors at Colney before the end of the week.

He said: “There might be something in the pipeline. We have been speaking to players and players' representatives and are hopeful we can make some announcement in the not too distant future.”

He said it would be an outside signing, not simply a new contract for an existing member of the playing staff, though decisions on that front are expected soon as City continue talks with midfielder Simon Lappin and goalkeeper Stuart Nelson, both out of contract at the end of June.

Said Gunn: “We are still in discussions with Simon Lappin's representative, but Simon got married at the weekend.

“Stuart Nelson is still in rehab after his ankle operation and has a meeting with his specialist this week. We'll be getting an update and then we'll make a decision.”

City are in the market for a new goalkeeper after the sale of Scotland international David Marshall to Cardiff, but Gunn said Australian veteran Mark Bosnich was not in his plans.

Bosnich, 37, was reported to have met City coach Ian Crook last week prior to a return to action with Sydney Olympic in a 1-1 draw against Bonnyrigg White Eagles in the New South Wales Premier League on Sunday.

“I think it's one thing having met for lunch and another having discussions with him and I don't think that story has got any legs in it,” said Gunn. “It's not something we are looking at and he is under contract to a club in Australia in any case.”

Gunn would not confirm any of the names on his wanted list, reported to include MK Dons' out-of-contract Spanish defender Miguel Angel Llera, Hartlepool centre-half Michael Nelson - now believed to be a target for Scunthorpe - and Shrewsbury striker Grant Holt. Full-back Dan Harding - on loan at Reading from Ipswich last season - is another possible target after being released at Portman Road.

“There are lots of names cropping up but I am not going to go through individual names and say yes or no. There are delicate situations and I don't want to give anything away on who we may be talking to,” he said. “I have short lists and long lists and there are players coming to the end of their contracts.”

But he said he had a clear idea of his budget as he tries to rebuild for the League One campaign.

“I know what I am working with. I have been speaking to the directors and will continue to work very closely with them,” he said.

The what, where and when of City's season will become clearer next week with the Carling Cup first round draw taking place on Tuesday, followed by publication of the League One fixtures a week tomorrow.

City players report back for fitness tests on June 29 before resuming full training. They send an eleven to Fakenham Town for a friendly on Friday, July 10, before the first team squad visit McDonald's former club, Dartford, the next day.