Lambert looks west for next Canaries signing

Jonathan Redhead Norwich City boss Paul Lambert is ready to boost his defensive ranks with a bid for Exeter City defender Danny Seaborne. It is believed the Scot is poised to make his move for the 22-year-old after seeing his back line hit by injury during the past few weeks.

Jonathan Redhead

Norwich City boss Paul Lambert is ready to boost his defensive ranks with a bid for Exeter City defender Danny Seaborne.

It is believed the Scot is poised to make his move for the 22-year-old after seeing his back line hit by injury during the past few weeks.

Michael Spillane joined Michael Nelson and Jon Otsemobor on the injured list for a few weeks after injuring his hamstring during the 5-1 victory against Bristol Rovers , while left-back Rhoys Wiggins - who made his debut at Gillingham last night - is still short of match fitness after his summer move from Crystal Palace.

And although Gary Doherty has been called back into the first team picture from the cold, Lambert was without a defender among his seven substitutes during the win at Carrow Road, and midfielder Korey Smith was forced to fill in at right-back after Spillane limped off in the second half. But now, City will attempt to secure a deal with the Grecians - initially on loan, but with a likely view to making it permanent in the January transfer window.

Seaborne did not play against the Canaries in the 1-1 draw at St James' Park at the end of August, but has been a key figure in the Grecians' rise to League One from the Conference in the last two seasons. He stands 6ft tall and can play either left-back or centre-back and has made 80 appearances for his home-town club since his debut in April 2006 and has featured in nine games this season, including the 3-1 win against Hartlepool on Saturday.

If the Canaries can get their hands on Seaborne, it may also pave the way for Doherty to leave the club.

Although the Republic of Ireland international has played in the Canaries' last two league victories, he was all set to leave the club after being dropped following the 4-1 defeat to Sunderland in the League Cup in August and subsequently not featuring in the next four match day squads in the league.

He was linked with a move to Malky Mackay's Watford, but it did not materialise although the defender admitted he would see his future elsewhere if he was not part of Lambert's plans.