Whaley in Russell out?

Preston North End winger Simon Whaley has been linked with a move to Norwich City. Reports in the north-west suggest the 24-year-old is a possible candidate for a swap deal with City midfielder Darel Russell, who has stayed at Colney instead of joining the club's pre-season tour to Scotland.

Preston North End winger Simon Whaley has been linked with a move to Norwich City.

Reports in the north-west suggest the 24-year-old is a possible candidate for a swap deal with City midfielder Darel Russell, who has stayed at Colney instead of joining the club's pre-season tour to Scotland.

Manager Bryan Gunn admitted at the end of last week that he was still looking for a winger after losing Lee Croft to Derby on a free transfer - and Blackpool manager Ian Holloway said he understood Whaley was Norwich-bound.

Speaking at a Blackpool fans' forum on Friday, Holloway said: “I inquired about Simon Whaley from Preston but was told he was going to sign for Norwich.”

Whaley joined Preston from Bury for �300,000 in January 2006, but fell out of favour with manager Alan Irvine last season and was loaned to Barnsley at one stage. He did not feature in Saturday's 11-0 win over Austrian side Hallein 04.

Bolton-born Whaley, 24, appeared as a substitute in Preston's 1-0 win over the Canaries at Deepdale in February.

Leyton Orient left-winger Jason Demetriou, 21, is another player to have been linked with City, with Cardiff also reported to be interested.