Leon Barnett joins Norwich City on loan

Norwich City have signed Premier League defender Leon Barnett on loan from West Bromwich Albion until January 4.Barnett, 25, joined the Baggies from Luton Town in July 2007 for an initial fee of �2.5million and has since made 55 league and cup appearances for the Midlands side, netting three goals in the process.

Barnett, 25, joined the Baggies from Luton Town in July 2007 for an initial fee of �2.5million and has since made 55 league and cup appearances for the Midlands side, netting three goals in the process.

The 6ft 1in centre-back joined Coventry City on loan last season and made 20 appearances for the Sky Blues. A former Luton player of the year, Barnett made a total of 78 appearances for the Hatters, and scored three goals.

Barnett played the full 90 minutes in Albion's Carling Cup second round win at Leyton Orient on Tuesday night and is expected to be in the City squad for Saturday's trip to Nottingham Forest.

Norwich City boss Paul Lambert said the move would bolster a City defence hit by injuries to Michael Nelson and Zak Whitbread.

'With Michael being out for a few weeks now we felt it was the right thing to bring someone in to strengthen in that area and Leon was someone we tried to bring in last year,' Lambert told the club's official website

'He's a quality player who has played Premier League football as well as having solid experience at Championship level, so I'm delighted we've been able to bring him in.

'He's here until January so he will provide competition for places when Michael and Zak are fit again, which I think you've got to have.'

As the deal is a standard loan there is no recall clause allowing Albion to ask for the player to return before January 4.