City boss Glenn Roeder is stepping up his search for a goalkeeper following Matthew Gilks' move to Blackpool. While Roeder is hugely impressed with new professional Declan Rudd, 17, and 15-year-old Jed Steer, he wants experienced cover for last season's ever-present first choice, Scotland international.

City boss Glenn Roeder is stepping up his search for a goalkeeper following Matthew Gilks' move to Blackpool.

While Roeder is hugely impressed with new professional Declan Rudd, 17, and 15-year-old Jed Steer, he wants experienced cover for last season's ever-present first choice, Scotland international David Marshall.

“We will be looking for a goalkeeper who's got experience,” he said.

“We're not looking for one who's too young because we have a couple of terrific goalkeepers coming through.”

The Canaries have had a rapid turnover of 'keepers in the past two years and, since Roeder's arrival, Paul Gallacher has made a permanent move to Dunfermline, England Under-21 international Joe Lewis has joined Peterborough for £400,000 and now Gilks has joined Blackpool as part of the deal that brought Wes Hoolahan to Carrow Road.

“The only reason I accepted what was a transfer record for Joe Lewis to go to Peterborough was that the two lads we have coming through are what I believe to be top, top drawer,” said Roeder.

“Tommy Wright, the new goalkeeping coach, has been here only a few days and I can't tell you how much he's been impressed with these young lads.”

“Declan, although he just slipped on to the bench for the last game of the season, wouldn't be ready yet to understudy David Marshall, but I would have thought come the end of this season, he would have improved enough and have got enough experience for him to be fighting to be the number two at the club.”