Laurence continues to lend Norwich City a hand

Laurence Batty is expected to be on the sidelines again this afternoon as City continue to search for a new goalkeeping coach. Batty was on the club's official team picture - although coach Ian Crook was absent because of illness - which was taken yesterday and would appear to be in the running for the job, having stepped in at Brighton last week following the departure of Paul Crichton.

Laurence Batty is expected to be on the sidelines again this afternoon as City continue to search for a new goalkeeping coach.

Batty was on the club's official team picture - although coach Ian Crook was absent because of illness - which was taken yesterday and would appear to be in the running for the job, having stepped in at Brighton last week following the departure of Paul Crichton.

“He came in and gave us a hand the other day and if we can try and do that again and give us a hand that's what I'm looking at,” said manager Paul Lambert, who worked with Batty during his spell as manager of Wycombe.

There is no suggestion Crichton won't be replaced, given the specific nature of the role and the young goalkeeping charges currently on City's books.

“I think it is a different specialist position,” said Lambert. “And they are only young lads. Fraser (Forster) is not really our goalkeeper, Declan (Rudd) has done great coming back from injury and Jed (Steer) is just a young lad starting out. They all are - just starting out in their careers.

“Fraser Forster has been a revelation for this club, the way he has performed. I saw (Newcastle manager) Chris Hughton's comments the other day - he will be a big goalkeeper for sure.”

It's unlikely the squad picture will change much during the emergency loan window, with Lambert not likely to see financial benefit from Jamie Cureton's departure to Shrewsbury for the rest of the season.

Cureton has described recent months at City, when he had to train with the youth players and wasn't even included in reserve team games, as “the worst spell” of his career. The veteran striker is out of contract in the summer, although Lambert wouldn't confirm he had played his last game for City.

“I think we both have a rough idea,” said Lambert. “He is there until the end of the season and hopefully he does well for them.

“You can't please everybody all the time, it is an impossibility. I can only work with so many people. Other people are just ahead of him in the queue, but he never gave me one bit of problem.”