CHRIS LAKEY Canaries star Robert Earnshaw says he is desperate to play top flight football again. The 19-goal striker told a Welsh newspaper over the weekend that he would be lying if he didn't dream of being snapped up by a Premiership club this summer.

CHRIS LAKEY

Canaries star Robert Earnshaw says he is desperate to play top flight football again.

The 19-goal striker told a Welsh newspaper over the weekend that he would be lying if he didn't dream of being snapped up by a Premiership club this summer.

"I've got to be true to myself - I want to play in the Premiership," he said. "I think it's the perfect time for me at my age and I'm no different to anyone else - I want to play against the best."

Earnshaw's comments will alert any potential suitors, but will be a concern for City boss Peter Grant, who believes the Welsh striker's three-month injury absence was instrumental in the club's failure to make an impression on the Championship last season.

The 26-year-old scored 19 goals in 30 Championship game - including two as a sub - and has proved he can score in the Premiership, with a dozen goals in 22 starts during an ill-fated spell at West Brom.

However, City are in a position where they are not forced to sell, following the addition of Andrew and Sharon Turner - and a £2m interest free loan - to the club's board of directors last month.

If reports that City were ready to pay up to £2m for Crewe's Luke Varney, who chose instead to go to Charlton, are true, then it appears Grant may have some money to spend.

The News of the World was yesterday linking him with a bid of £2.5m for Scunthorpe striker Billy Sharp, although there will be plenty of competition, with Sheffield Wednesday, Preston and Wolves leading a whole host of Championship interest. But they will all have to be patient.

"It's great that clubs are interested, but for now I've had enough of it. I want to go on my holidays," he said.