Worthy says no to Keown

[Huckerbys right foot]

Norwich City manager Nigel Worthington last night dismissed a fresh bout of national newspaper speculation linking him with a move for veteran Arsenal defender Martin Keown.

And the Canaries boss was also cool on claims that he was about to open talks with Bolton midfielder Per Frandsen and Dundee United goalkeeper Paul Gallacher, insisting: "These reports are all news to me."

Worthington has become used to getting mentioned in the sporting gossip columns since his side gained promotion and reckons supporters should take the regular City snippets with a hefty pinch of salt.

"We'll let everyone know when we've signed somebody – but there is nothing new to report at the moment," he said. "These stories in the national newspapers go with the territory, I'm afraid. As soon as you are a Premiership club you start getting linked with all and sundry.

"Some of it is just wild speculation and some of it may be down to agents. All I'd say to our supporters is 'don't believe everything you read'."

According to The People, 37-year-old Keown is mulling over the possibility of a one-year contract to help City on their return to the Premiership.

The paper said Keown, who was first linked with City soon after they clinched a place in the top flight, has been approached by Worthington, who, it claims, wants his experience to see City through what could be a difficult season back in the top flight.

Worthington relied on Malky Mackay and Craig Fleming as his central defensive unit throughout the promotion season, with only the inexperienced Jason Shackell as recognised cover, and clearly needs to bring in new blood in that area.

But the manager stressed: "There's nothi ng in that one. There has been no contact and even if there had I should imagine Martin Keown would want a lot more money than we could afford."

The People also suggested that Frandsen, released by Sam Allardyce on a free last week, was in talks with the Canaries, but Worthington replied: "There's no truth in that. I was under the impression that the lad was about to sign for Wigan."

One area Worthington definitely needs to address is cover for first choice goalkeeper Robert Green, with reports from Scotland suggesting an interest in international Gallacher.

Newspaper reports north of the border claim he is ready to quit Dundee United for the Premiership but Worthington said: "That one is wide of the mark too."

The Canaries are searching for experienced cover for Green after releasing reserve keeper Paul Crichton. Gallacher played with City duo Malky Mackay and Gary Holt in Scotland's 1-0 defeat by Denmark in Copenhagen last month, when the keeper won his fifth cap.

The Canaries have dismissed most of the speculation that has followed their promotion, although Worthington has publicly admitted approaching Arsenal for a player at the other end of the age scale, 19-year-old David Bentley.

However, reports yesterday suggested that the teenager could be heading for a season-long loan at West Ham – if Alan Pardew's team beat Crystal Palace in the First Division play-off final on Saturday


ITS FOR THE BEST I THINK I DIDNT WANT KEOWN IN A CANARY SHIRT I HATE THE BLOKE!!

I'M HAPPY WE AINT GETTING HIM!

::hahaha::