CHRIS LAKEY Iain Dowie has described former Norwich hero Leon McKenzie's enforced absence from tomorrow's Carrow Road clash as “bizarre”.

CHRIS LAKEY

Iain Dowie has described former Norwich City hero Leon McKenzie's enforced absence from tomorrow's Carrow Road clash as "bizarre". The Crystal Palace boss has been forced to scrap McKenzie from his plans because of a clause in the contract ruling him out of this season's two league meetings between the sides.

Norwich's first game after his £1m deadline day transfer last August was at Coventry - a game McKenzie watched from the stands - but the deal also excluded the return game. And that's where new Coventry boss Dowie comes in.

"It seems to be in vogue in the modern day," he said. "I don't understand because if you buy someone you buy someone. It is bizarre that everyone does it now, but I am not a great fan of it.

"I have never sold someone and said he can't play against me. A loan is different, but that's where we are. I wish it had been exclusive to Nigel Worthington, but we just have to deal with it. It's a blow because Leon's reaction to being left out on Tuesday was top-class and he did well when he came on."

McKenzie has scored five goals in 20 league starts for the Sky Blues.