Chris Lakey Canaries star Darren Huckerby has been linked with a sensational move to Premier League side Sunderland - but could end up working for controversial Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock.

Chris Lakey

Canaries star Darren Huckerby has been linked with a sensational move to Premier League side Sunderland - but could end up working for controversial Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock.

The City wide man is out of contract in the summer and manager Glenn Roeder has yet to reveal whether or not he has offered the 32-year-old an extension.

Huckerby has admitted his days as Carrow Road's favourite son could be numbered, but the reported interest from Sunderland manager Roy Keane has come out of the blue.

Keane is said to be prepared to give Huckerby a one-year deal, which would test the player's often-stated intention that he would never play for another English club. But a return to the Premier League, where Huckerby appeared for Newcastle, Coventry, Leeds and Manchester City as well as Norwich, would be hugely tempting.

With Huckerby's future in limbo, it would appear interested parties are now coming out of the woodwork, with Palace boss Warnock (pictured) yesterday admitting his long-time admiration of Huckerby.

Warnock said he had tracked Huckerby throughout his managerial career and admitted to trying to sign him - although he admits he hasn't made up his mind about a summer approach.

“I've been interested in Darren Huckerby in the past, but I'm not sure about that right now,” said Warnock. “Darren is 32 now and it's very important that we bring in the right players to the club in the summer.”

While Huckerby's current situation has caused consternation among many City supporters, there could be uproar if he were deemed not good enough for Norwich, but good enough for the top flight.

Huckerby has been linked with overseas moves to David Beckham's LA Galaxy as well as FC Toronto, where former City team-mates Jim Brennan and Carl Robinson play, while his former Coventry boss Gordon Strachan has reportedly been keen to take him to Celtic.

Should there be any substance behind the Sunderland rumour, then Huckerby would be able to team up with former Canaries team-mate and friend Dickson Etuhu, who controversially left Carrow Road in a £1.5m move last July, which prompted Huckerby to openly criticise the board of directors for allowing their best players to leave.