Lawrence to swoop for Norwich's Matt Jackson?

By: Richard Hubbert
Date: 15/07/2001

RUMOURS are circulating that Town boss Lennie Lawrence might be set to swoop for Norwich City captain Matt Jackson, who Canaries boss Nigel Worthington is keen to unload to reduce the wage bill. It is believed that City might be willing to let him go for nothing, with two years left on his contract

Although on paper this may come as a surprise to many Norwich fans, as Jackson (left) was ever-present from 1996 up until when Worthington was installed as manager last year, and he is also the club's captain. But after recently been left out of the club's tour of Scotland, it has ignited fresh speculation that he could be on his way out of Carrow Road.

Jackson nearly did depart on transfer deadline day last season, when the Leeds-born defender was granted permission to speak to former club Birmingham City about a possible switch to the West Midlands.

Following the collapse of the talks with City, Jackson stayed at Carrow Road announcing in the local press that he believed his future still lay with the Norfolk club. But after this new twist Jackson could have attracted the attention of Grimsby boss Lennie Lawrence who may see the 29-year-old as the ideal replacement for the recently departed Peter Handyside.

One stumbling point could be Jackson's wages, which is said to be one of the reasons Norwich want to offload the former Everton defender. With finances tight at Town the move might present problems. However, for a player who has captained Norwich all through his five year long Canaries' career and scooped the player of the season award, Lawrence might take a gamble on Jackson (as he did with Zhang Enhua), who would cost nothing in the way of a transfer fee.

Lawrence is also said to be chasing a mystery premiership centre half to fill the vacant No. 4 jersey which, if general gossip on the Town message board is anything to go by, could be Ronnie Wallwork of Man Utd (pictured right).

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