O'Brien deals rejected

The O'Briens won't be coming to Carrow Road - from the direction of Portsmouth or Newcastle. Nigel Worthington confirmed that his powers of persuasion had failed to convince Pompey boss Harry Redknapp to allow Republic of Ireland defender Andy O'Brien to join City on a month's loan deal.

By CHRIS LAKEY

The O'Briens won't be coming to Carrow Road - from the direction of Portsmouth or Newcastle.

Canaries boss Nigel Worthington confirmed yesterday that his powers of persuasion had failed to convince Pompey boss Harry Redknapp to allow Republic of Ireland defender Andy O'Brien to join City on a month's loan deal.

And Worthington has received a similar answer from Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder over the availability of their left winger, Alan O'Brien.

“Harry's not letting him go,” said a disappointed Worthington yesterday. “There is nothing else in the pipeline at this moment in time.”

Worthington confirmed that he had asked Newcastle about their O'Brien, who came on as a sub at Carrow Road in Craig Fleming's testimonial match.

The 21-year-old Dubliner is a speedy left winger and made an immediate impression at Carrow Road with his pace and his crossing ability - facets which would have been ideal cover and competition for Darren Huckerby down the left flank.

“Alan O'Brien is very, very quick and a player we have looked at and like, but Newcastle aren't letting him go,” said Worthington.

It means Worthington has been unable to double his current quota of loan players, with goalkeeper Lee Camp and veteran striker Dion Dublin expected to be on the bench at Plymouth tomorrow .

“Dion joined in with the rest of the group this morning and I think he scored a goal in the little game we had so he's looking forward to being involved on Saturday,” said Worthington.