Norwich City boss Peter Grant has been linked with another cross border raid for Queen's Park's highly rated teenage midfielder Paul Cairney. Mounting speculation in Scotland suggested Grant plans to run the rule over the 18 year old before the end of this season.

Norwich City boss Peter Grant was yesterday linked with another cross border raid for Queen's Park's highly rated teenage midfielder Paul Cairney.

Mounting speculation in Scotland suggested Grant plans to run the rule over the 18 year old before the end of this season. Cairney has impressed since Christmas in the Spiders' Division Three promotion push.

The former Hillwood Boys' club youngster is now a permanent first team fixture at the Hampden Park-based outfit after making his debut against Montrose in November 2005.

Grant recruited Simon Lappin from St Mirren and former Celtic midfielder Mark Fotheringham during the January transfer window, but the Canaries reportedly face stiff competition from CIS cup winners Hibernian.

The City chief admitted recently Norwich's scouting network is working overtime to unearth raw talent after Whitley Bay striker Lee Kerr was linked with a potential Carrow Road switch.

Premiership heavyweights Newcastle released the Jarrow teenager after a recent two week trial. Watford and Ipswich are also reportedly tracking the young hitman.

“There's been a few boys been mentioned,” said Grant. “People say trial but I'd like to see the date we can get them down for a week. We've been playing so many games and you could say get them down for the reserve games but they have been called off as well - so when are we going to see them? That's the problem at this moment in time, but we're looking closely at every level to find a player who can improve us.

“It's important we scout everywhere. With the academy system in place the amount of players that don't even go into the lower levels but go straight to non league is incredible. Some can come back and do exceptionally with the right coaching because they are only young men.”

Grant's prospects of importing some new blood via the loan market appear to be receding ahead of this week's final deadline.

“You never say never,” he said. “But I'd rather bring in quality than quantity. You'd prefer to have the boys fit here because I've no doubt in my mind they are a better group than anyone I could bring in who is available.”

Skipper Adam Drury (ankle) was City's only fresh injury worry following the weekend win over Stoke. Drury along with back up keeper Joe Lewis (wrist) and striker Chris Brown (hamstring) are all expected to recover during the two week international break.