Chris LakeyBryan Gunn completed his five-card trick on transfer deadline day yesterday as a trio of new faces signed up to the Norwich City survival battle. Having started the day with a pair - David Carney and Chris Killen - already in his hand, Gunn began work early, bringing in Alan Gow before a double whammy after lunch when non-league hot-shot Cody McDonald signed a permanent deal, closely followed by loan signing number four, Fulham central defender Adrian Leijer.Chris Lakey

Bryan Gunn completed his five-card trick on transfer deadline day yesterday as a trio of new faces signed up to the Norwich City survival battle.

Having started the day with a pair - David Carney and Chris Killen - already in his hand, Gunn began work early, bringing in Alan Gow before a double whammy after lunch when non-league hot-shot Cody McDonald signed a permanent deal, closely followed by loan signing number four, Fulham central defender Adrian Leijer.

There was strong speculation that Stoke defender Andrew Davies would be added to his list, but in the end it was a deal too far and Gunn settled for a deadline day treble.

Two players have left Carrow Road - Arturo Lupoli's season-long loan has been terminated while Elliott Omozusi has gone back to Fulham after his deal was also ended early.

Gunn got pretty much what he needed - a central defender and strikers.

Leijer, 22, is the second Aussie through the gates, following Carney's arrival last week. A full international, he began his career with Melbourne Knights before joining Melbourne Victory. He joined Fulham in August, 2007, but has yet to feature in the first team.

'Adrian is someone who (coach) Ian Crook has worked with during Adrian's time with Australia under-20s,' said Gunn. 'I have seen him playing for Fulham reserves and together with David Carney he will provide us with extra cover - I am delighted to have him on board for the remainder of the season.'

It means that, finally, City have got more than just one specialist central defender, relieving some of the pressure on Gary Doherty.

Gow comes in seven months after a trial with City which ended when former manager Glenn Roeder opted not to follow up his interest. The 26-year-old returned to Rangers before a four-month loan spell at Blackpool.

He impressed enough for Wolves to want him, but Gow failed a medical last week because of a hip injury - although Rangers manager Walter Smith said he was 'bemused' at the finding. That left the door open for Gunn - and he opened it.

Gow, Leijer, Killen and Carney are all in the frame for tonight's Championship trip to leaders Wolves - although Cody McDonald may have to bide his time before he makes the step up.

However, of the remaining quartet, only Gow has featured recently in a first team game.

McDonald would appear to be one for the future, although Gunn was impressed enough by his first viewing of him at the weekend to award him a deal two days later.

'I am absolutely delighted to be able to bring Cody to the club,' he said. 'We have been watching him for a number of months now, a recommendation from one of Paul Stephenson's friends in the London area. We sent scouts along to watch him in different games and kept getting very positive reports back.

'Obviously Cody was scoring lots of goals so we knew his goalscoring prowess, but I went along to watch the game on Saturday against Maidstone and I saw a different side to him than the other scouts had seen.

'I saw a brave player who wasn't afraid to go in where it hurts.

'He's got an eye for goal and pace, which in modern football is crucial. Behind the scenes we can work on his fitness levels, as he'll be coming out of part-time football to train every day, but we can work on that and he has the raw ingredients of a top striker.

'I think that was evident with the number of scouts that were at the game last weekend and we agreed terms with Dartford FC after the game and then with Cody later.'

McDonald added: 'I am glad that all the terms got sorted. It is the biggest achievement any young person can achieve. The chance to work with the likes of Bryan (Gunn) is brilliant and hopefully I can bring my goals to the team and do well for Norwich City.

'Meeting with Bryan after the game on Saturday and being invited to Colney for a couple of days last week to train was an amazing experience for me and that made my mind up.'

Lupoli's departure was perhaps not unexpected, the Italian having failed to hold down a permanent starting place, despite leaving with a record of four goals in 17 Championship appearances, 10 as sub.

'We wish Arturo all the best,' said Gunn. 'He's been frustrated with the lack of chances he has had to start games and we had a chat last week and discussed the options which were suitable for him.

'He's been a hero amongst City fans, with the goals he has scored for us and when he ran up to them after his goal at Charlton. I know he's been frustrated with the lack of chances, but after we signed Chris Killen and Alan Gow, he now feels further down the pecking order and we wish him well for the future.

'Elliot has not featured in any of my three squads in recent weeks. The opportunity has come for him to go back to Fulham and we wish him well in his future career.'