City could miss out on centre-half Manny Smith with the Walsall defender on the verge of signing a new contract. The Canaries have been linked with a summer move for the 21-year-old.

City could miss out on centre-half Manny Smith with the Walsall defender on the verge of signing a new contract.

The Canaries have been linked with a summer move for the 21-year-old.

But Smith is understood to be on the verge of agreeing a new deal at the Banks's Stadium, leaving City to look elsewhere.

One national newspaper claims City boss Paul Lambert was keeping tabs on Smith - one of the few defenders in League One who has helped keep a clean sheet against Norwich this season after a goalless draw at Carrow Road in September.

Cardiff City were also said to be monitoring Smith's progress, with a view to snapping him up for nothing in the summer.

But Smith's contract is believed to be all but signed, leaving City to look elsewhere for defensive reinforcements.

Lambert has four real options at centre-half - current pair Gary Doherty and Michael Nelson, as well as Jens Berthel Askou and Zak Whitbread, who are both recovering from injury.