Norwich in talks with Newcastle over Forster

Norwich City chairman Alan Bowkett confirmed yesterday the Canaries are in talks with Newcastle to bring highly-rated keeper Fraser Forster back to Carrow Road.

The club's players' player-of-the-year was a key member of Paul Lambert's League One title-winning squad and Bowkett used his latest web chat to reassure Canaries' fans City want Forster to return.

'We continue to have important and friendly negotiations with Newcastle as to their decision on whether they want Fraser to play at St James' Park this coming season or not,' he said. 'Naturally here at Carrow Road we'd all love to see Fraser play for us for one more year but I'm afraid there's very little we can do until Newcastle finalise their plans for next season. Hopefully that will be sooner rather than later.'

Bowkett rejected a suggestion from one poster Gary Doherty's recent exit was down to financial constraints and that Paul Lambert will be restricted to bringing in lower league players during his summer transfer activity.

'I certainly would not expect Paul to be taking decisions on the club's balance sheet,' said Bowkett, on the club's official site. 'While Paul quite clearly would not wish me to participate in decisions on football matters, Paul is in charge of all our football endeavours and I have every confidence that he has the long-term future of football at Norwich City at heart. Gary has been an outstanding contributor to Norwich over many years and all of us at the club wish him great success for the rest of his career.'

'We are extremely analytical as to the type of footballer and positions that we wish to fill for next year. We have created several specifications both in terms of position and qualities. Above all, we are seeking to attract to the club young, hungry players who are going places rather than players who have been somewhere. That is not to say that experience is unimportant - it is just that we wish to have the right blend. Please be assured that the players that we do sign for the club will be as a result of the football specification rather than budgetary constraints.'

Bowkett did confirm the club had now held discussions with more than 50 parties during their on going search for fresh investment - but denied Lotus F1 boss Tony Fernandes was poised to pump millions into the club.

'All I can say again is that we're in close discussions with several shortlisted parties and no announcement is expected in the short term,' he said. 'It's no secret that Mr Fernandes has attended a game at Carrow Road. He's a thoroughly affable and pleasant individual and clearly highly committed to the success of the Lotus F1 team which we all wish the best of luck to.

'On the investment front we have spent the past six months in discussions with over 50 parties in America, Europe, the Middle East and the Far East. We are now in detailed discussions with several of those parties as to structuring further investment.'

Bowkett insisted Lambert will also have the final say on the makeup of his backroom team following Ian Crook's decision to leave his post as first team coach.

'All football matters are the responsibility of Paul, who is thinking through the ramifications of Ian's personal decision,' he said. 'I'm sure he will let us know what he wishes to do in due course. As for Gary (Karsa), he does an excellent job on all football logistical matters, which means Paul and Ian Culverhouse have more time to focus their efforts on frontline football duties. Although sad to see Ian Crook depart yet again, having lived away from my family due to work myself I have every sympathy with his decision. I wish him all the very best from all of us at Carrow Road and personally I should think it won't be long before he is back in football in Australia.'

Crook was in charge of the club's second string during his spell in Norfolk and Bowkett revealed yesterday City have decided to enter a side into next season's Norfolk Senior Cup competition against the county's best non league sides.

'We're also delighted to confirm that Norwich City have once again entered the Norfolk Senior Cup after an absence of many years,' he said. 'Whilst many of the players appearing in this competition are likely to be from Ricky Martin's teams we felt it was entirely appropriate the county's professional club supported its main competition.'