DAVID CUFFLEY Scunthorpe striker Billy Sharp, subject of a £2m bid from the Canaries, is expected to make a final decision on his future within the next week.

DAVID CUFFLEY

Scunthorpe striker Billy Sharp, subject of a £2m bid from the Canaries, is expected to make a final decision on his future within the next week.

The 21-year-old has been given permission to talk to both Wolves and Sheffield Wednesday, though neither club is believed to be anywhere near to matching City's offer.

City boss Peter Grant took the news that Sharp was to talk to two of their Championship rivals in his stride.

He said: "I'm not surprised there are a lot of clubs interested. Brian Laws at Sheffield Wednesday used to be his manager at Scunthorpe. He knows a good player and he would like to work with him again."

Grant echoed Scunthorpe chairman Steve Wharton's view that Sharp, who had talks at Carrow Road last week, will be keen to sort out his future sooner rather than later, but he accepted: "It's a big decision for the young man. We obviously hope he will come here but if he decides to go elsewhere, good luck to him, he's a good little player.

"We have sold Norwich to him and we hope he's going to be coming, but he's got to make that decision."

With most clubs back in training next week, Wharton said: "I am sure Billy would want his future resolving by then. From talking to him, I think he has set his heart on a move this summer.

"I thought he would prefer linking up with his old strike partner Andy Keogh at Wolves - but I know he was impressed with what he saw at Norwich.

"We have given him permission to talk to both Wolves and Sheffield Wednesday. But he knows too that both Wednesday and Wolves are a long way short of the asking price we want."

Grant, meanwhile, is hoping to get a few answers from potential targets in the next few days.

"In most cases, you have to wait because it depends on this or that. I was warned that's the way it works, and so it's proved. I would rather have a definite yes or no," he said.