Union Berlin are monitoring Marcel Franke's situation at Norwich City, according to German newspaper Berliner Kurier.

The 24-year-old defender has started just seven matches for the Canaries since joining from Bundesliga II side Greuter Furth in a deal reportedly worth around £2.5million in the summer.

He has made just one brief appearance as a substitute since being dropped after City's awful 4-0 loss at Millwall at the end of August – which prompted the signing of Grant Hanley – and has been playing for the under-23s recently.

With defensive injury problems hampering Union Berlin's hopes of pushing for promotion from the German second tier, Berliner Kurier report that Franke is a player being considered as an option during the January transfer window.

The German centre-back signed a contract until 2020, with the club having the option of a further year, but hasn't even been named among the substitutes for City's last two matches.

Timm Klose, Hanley and Christoph Zimmermann – who signed a new deal last week – all look to be ahead of Franke and club captain Russell Martin in the central defensive pecking order, with Sean Raggett potentially able to return from his loan at Lincoln in January if needed as well.

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