Paddy Davitt Norwich striker Arturo Lupoli yesterday fired Glenn Roeder a timely reminder in the wake of mounting speculation linking the Italian with an early Serie A return.

Paddy Davitt

Norwich striker Arturo Lupoli yesterday fired Glenn Roeder a timely reminder in the wake of mounting speculation linking the Italian with an early Serie A return.

Lupoli conjured an acrobatic overhead volley to earn Roeder's shadow squad a 1-1 draw against Colchester in a behind-closed-doors practice match.

Sampdoria and Torino have reportedly inquired about offering the 21-year-old an English escape route with Lupoli a peripheral figure at Carrow Road since his summer loan switch from Fiorentina.

Lupoli has started only one Championship game in the last three months - notching the fourth goal of his brief City stint in the 3-2 home league defeat to Swansea.

Roeder could now be prepared to sanction the Italian's exit after again being linked with a January loan swoop for Arsenal starlet Jay Simpson.

The City chief is actively on the hunt for fresh firepower with both Charlton match winner Leroy Lita and Antoine Sibierski poised to return to their parent clubs.

Roeder flatly refused to comment last week on his transfer window wish list, but the Canaries' boss is set to enter the New Year with long term injury absentee Carl Cort as Norwich's only recognised senior striker.

Roeder remained non committal over Lita's long term future after his seventh City goal plundered all three points against the Addicks - but Reading boss Steve Coppell revealed he is under no pressure to sell.

Club-record signing Emerse Fae has agreed a permanent New Year move to French club Nice after a loan stint in the south of France. The Ivory Coast international midfielder has made just eight league appearances at the Madejski since a £2.5m move in August 2007.

“We're in a position where we don't have to sell,” said Coppell. “I won't talk about anticipating anything because I will spend half my time talking about scurrilous rumours and speculation. I fancy there won't be a great deal of activity. The criteria this January will probably be people looking to cut their staff and their wage bill. The current climate has to have had an effect on clubs. Inevitably people want their money back and when that happens it is not conducive to spending.”

Ex-Arsenal striker Lupoli hinted recently he was desperate for regular first team football having fallen behind Lita in the pecking order after his season long switch from the Viola.

“In the short term I want to play many games for the team, because for sure I didn't come here to be sitting on the bench,” he said. “So that's my main target, to play games here and then hopefully play good and see at the end of the season what's going to happen. I would consider to stay in England. Why not? I like this league, I like the Premier League, so you never know. You have to play well and things will happen. Whether it is here or in Italy, we'll have to see.”