Former Newcastle reserve team boss Adam Sadler was today poised to join Norwich City's management team after the exit of assistant manager Lee Clark.With Clark taking over as manager of Huddersfield Town - a prospect angrily ruled out by manager Glenn Roeder only last week - 28-year-old Sadler was already in the dug-out for the Canaries' 2-1 Championship defeat at Watford last night.

Former Newcastle reserve team boss Adam Sadler was today poised to join Norwich City's management team after the exit of assistant manager Lee Clark.

With Clark taking over as manager of Huddersfield Town - a prospect angrily ruled out by manager Glenn Roeder only last week - 28-year-old Sadler was already in the dug-out for the Canaries' 2-1 Championship defeat at Watford last night.

It is unclear whether Sadler is in line to become the new number two, with first team coach Paul Stephenson and goalkeeping coach Tommy Wright, who has managed in Northern Ireland, also plausible candidates to move up.

Roeder was planning to confirm changes in his backroom staff today.

“We can't say anything at the moment, but Adam came down last week and took the under-18s to West Ham on Saturday,” said Roeder after last night's game.

“He's a person that I have worked with. I didn't give him his first job, but I certainly have brought him on up the ladder at Newcastle.

“But at the moment there are a few things to be spoken about and hopefully before close of play tomorrow we'll be able to make an announcement of what everyone is doing in terms of the backroom staff now that Lee's gone off to Huddersfield.”

Sadler, who lost his job at Newcastle in September after Kevin Keegan's departure as manager, has already spent time at City's Colney training ground and was thought to be in line for a coaching post with the Academy.

However, Clark's decision to leave could mean swift promotion for Sadler, who worked under Roeder at Newcastle and was linked with a move to Norwich soon after Roeder took over last season. He stayed at St James' Park, however, after being appointed reserve team coach when Clark joined the Canaries.

Roeder wished Clark well in his new appointment.

He said: “I wish him all the best because he's been a great guy to have on board for this last year. I gave him his first job at Newcastle as reserve team coach and I'm expecting him to pull up trees and do very well as a manager in his own right.”

Just 10 days ago, Roeder dismissed reports that Clark was heading for Huddersfield as “wild speculation”, “irritating” and “totally unfounded”.

When the move was confirmed yesterday, he said: “At the time those stories appeared there was no truth in the speculation at all. In the last few days, however, Huddersfield have formally asked for permission to speak to Lee, which after chatting to him and to the board, we agreed to do.

“We've made it clear we would expect compensation for a man of Lee's experience and potential and that has been agreed.”

Clark will head a Huddersfield management team with strong Newcastle links, including ex-Blackburn player and former Newcastle first team coach Derek Fazackerley and conditioner Steve Black, who spent time at Carrow Road last season and has worked in north-east football and rugby circles.

Academy director Gerry Murphy has been in temporary charge since the departure of Stan Ternent five weeks ago and is expected to take charge for the Terriers' game at Southend on Saturday.

Winger Lee Croft paid tribute to Clark on behalf of the City players when he said: “He will be missed greatly. He was well respected by the lads, he was a great coach and a really nice man, as well. All the lads wish him well at Huddersfield. I'm sure he'll do a good job. It's our loss and Huddersfield's gain.

“But the gaffer's brought Adam Sadler in today and he was really good around the changing room, so maybe it's an opportunity for him.”