Ex-England manager Graham Taylor has urged Canaries target Billy Sharp to prove himself in the Championship before trying his luck among football's elite.

By CHRIS LAKEY

Ex-England manager Graham Taylor has urged Canaries target Billy Sharp to prove himself in the Championship before trying his luck among football's elite.

Sharp's 30-goal haul for Scunthorpe last season made him the country's leading league marksman - and set the ball rolling on this summer's chase for his signature.

It's City who lead the chase with their £2m-plus offer the only one which currently meets Scunthorpe's valuation of the 21-year-old hitman.

Wolves, Sheffield Wednesday, Burnley and West Brom are all keeping a close watch on developments, but the giants of the Premiership have so far kept a discreet distance - because, Taylor believes, Sharp must first prove himself in the Championship.

Taylor, a Scunthorpe vice-president, says it is no longer fashionable for Premiership clubs to scour the lower divisions for talent.

“Supporters of Premiership clubs do not think their club is showing any real ambition if they sign Championship or lower division players,” said Taylor.

“I am afraid it is now a sign of the times that signing foreign players - and appointing foreign managers - is the fashion.

“It looks as if Billy will have to prove himself in the Championship - with either the Iron or another club - before the Premiership give him a chance.”

There are plenty of precedents for using a Championship club as a stepping stone to the big time - with former Canaries man Dean Ashton the perfect example.

Ashton left Crewe for Norwich in January, 2005, for £3m, but one year and 17 league goals later West Ham deemed him ready for Premiership football, and paid more than £7m for his signature.

The asking price for Sharp begins at £2m, with Scunthorpe chairman Steve Wharton's add-ons taking the final price closer to that familiar £3m mark.