Norwich City target opts for MK Dons

Bryan Gunn's attempts to beef up the Norwich City back line suffered a blow yesterday when one of his reported summer transfer targets decided his future was not at Carrow Road.

Bryan Gunn's attempts to beef up the Norwich City back line suffered a blow yesterday when one of his reported summer transfer targets decided his future was not at Carrow Road.

Versatile Dan Woodards is believed to have rejected City's interest to join MK Dons from Crewe Alexandra.

City manager Gunn currently has only skipper Gary Doherty, Dejan Stefanovic and Michael Spillane as recognised centre-backs at the club, while Jon Otsemobor and Adam Drury are the only senior full-backs and there is no goalkeeper on the books who has made a first-team appearance for the club.

One of the men who could have helped Gunn strengthen his squad was former Chelsea trainee Woodards.

The right-back, who can also play left-back, centre-back and as a defensive midfielder, had been linked with a move to Carrow Road after his contract expired at Gresty Road following two years with the Railwaymen.

But the 25-year-old decided to join the Dons and their manager, Stamford Bridge legend Roberto Di Matteo.

“I'm excited to be joining the club and I'm relishing the chance to help the team win promotion to the Championship and I'm looking forward to meeting all the lads,” said Woodards, who played 94 games for Crewe.

“I definitely think promotion is a realistic ambition - personally I thought the team should've done it last season but if everyone's still got the belief and the hunger for it then it should be easy.”

Another potential City recruit, Hartlepool centre-half Michael Nelson, is still mulling over his future after being given an extra week to decide on a new deal. He is understood to be keen on rejoining former Victoria Park coach Ian Butterworth but is not believed to have received a contract offer from City.