Gunn swoops for Carney and hopes to land Purse

Michael Bailey Bryan Gunn has made his first signing as Norwich City manager - but will have to play a waiting game if he is to have similar success bringing Darren Purse to the club.

Michael Bailey

Bryan Gunn has made his first signing as Norwich City manager - but will have to play a waiting game if he is to have similar success bringing Darren Purse to the club.

Sheffield United's Australian international midfielder David Carney was the man coming through the Carrow Road entrance - on loan for the rest of the season - following a recommendation from Gunn's first team coach Ian Crook, who worked with Carney during his time at Sydney FC.

But with one deal in the bag, of more pressing concern for Gunn will be adding Cardiff centre-back Purse to his defensive ranks before Monday night's transfer deadline.

The 31-year-old has been given permission to speak to other clubs by Cardiff manager Dave Jones and Purse has been in Norwich with his agent to discuss a possible move.

However, the defender was involved in Cardiff's match at Coventry last night and although Jones has allowed Purse to talk to other clubs, the Bluebirds manager has not sanctioned a move - and is unlikely to until another defender arrives in south Wales.

The EDP understands that although other clubs are interested in the Cardiff club captain, Norwich are the only team to be granted permission to speak to the player.

And the Canaries are firmly in the driving seat to seal the move once it is given the go-ahead by Cardiff, subject to a couple of points being negotiated.

So as Gunn waits on one transfer front, he admitted his delight at securing Carney for the rest of the season - his first signing as Norwich manager.

“We've been working very hard behind the scenes and putting several phone calls into different clubs, and this is the first one with a positive result,” said Gunn. “He is an Australian international and I feel he will add something very positive to the squad we already have.

“He has a tremendous left foot which I hope he can utilise in our games which we have coming up, and he's a confident goalscorer who is technically gifted.

“He wants to come here, he hasn't featured at Sheffield United and with the World Cup coming up in 2010, he wants to have the chance to show what he can do so he has an opportunity of a place in the Australian squad.”

The 25-year-old, who is eligible for tomorrow's trip to Doncaster and has been allocated the City number 11 shirt, was a trainee with Everton before spells with Oldham Athletic, Halifax Town and Scottish side Hamilton Academicals.

He returned home to Australia in 2005 to play for Sydney FC, where Crook was coach, and the pair helped the club to the A-League Grand Final.

“Ian worked with him in Sydney, where David played 21 games and scored six times,” Gunn to the club's official website. “Ian gave a very high recommendation of David and his capabilities, and was happy to recommend him to us.

“I know there were other clubs interested in him, both in this country and in Europe, and I really hope he is able to use his abilities to help us in the battle we have ahead of us.”

Carney, who has 17 caps and one goal for the Socceroos, added: “I'm delighted to be joining a club such as Norwich - the club is obviously in a position they shouldn't be and hopefully I can do something to help move the team up the table.

“I'm looking forward to working with Ian Crook again and can't wait to get started.”

The midfielder represented his country at last summer's Olympic Games in Beijing and made 26 appearances at Sheffield United after his arrival on a three-year deal in August 2007, scoring three goals.

With winger Carney's arrival and Norwich's need to strengthen in other areas, it remains to be seen whether Gunn's first recruit is an indication of any imminent exits - most notably Lee Croft, who continues to be linked with a move away from Carrow Road.