CHRIS LAKEY Glenn Roeder's hopes of completing his Canaries management team line-up in time for this weekend's return to action against Coventry City have hit a hitch.

CHRIS LAKEY

Glenn Roeder's hopes of completing his Canaries management team line-up in time for this weekend's return to action against Coventry City have hit a hitch.

The City boss had hoped to name Paul Stephenson as his third man, but it is understood that Hartlepool United are holding up the move.

A spokesman for the League One side refused to discuss Stephenson yesterday, but the EDP understands their chairman, Ken Hodcroft, is refusing to sanction the departure of the club's youth team coach until certain demands are met.

"I don't think it would be appropriate for anyone at our club to be saying anything to you," said the spokesman.

Stephenson was given permission to talk to Norwich and, after discussing the position with Roeder and assistant manager Lee Clark last week, said he hoped the issue would be resolved "within days", having already held talks with Roeder and his assistant manager, Lee Clark.

"The situation is ongoing but there is nothing more we can add at this stage," a Canaries spokesman said yesterday.

Roeder managed Stephenson as a player during his spell in charge at Gillingham and tried to recruit him at Newcastle in 2005, but he will be wary of losing out on another coaching target.

Stephenson headed Roeder's shopping list alongside Newcastle's Adam Sadler, but when the Magpies heard of Norwich's interest, they promoted Sadler from Academy and goalkeeper coach to reserve team boss - the position vacated by Clark.

Norwich have been without a first team coach since the sudden departure of Martin Hunter to Watford in July.

Meanwhile, City's transfer market activities are over until January 1 after yesterday's deadline day for loan deals ended at 5pm.

Roeder has brought in two players - left back Mo Camara from Derby and young Manchester City striker Ched Evans - this week, taking his total to four since his arrival at the end of last month.

Midfielder Matty Pattison joined from Newcastle last week following the acquisition of Birmingham central defender Martin Taylor.

Taylor limped off just a third of the way through City's last outing, a 3-0 defeat at Plymouth, but has benefited from the two-week international break, as have Dion Dublin and Luke Chadwick, who have both been nursing hamstring injuries.

"They're both training and training well, and Taylor has a good chance of being fit," said Roeder.

In addition, long-term casualties Mark Fotheringham and Gary Doherty could come into the reckoning for the senior side after returning to action for City Reserves on Monday night.

"They definitely come into the frame. They will be involved in the squad," said Roeder.