Both Town and Norwich City have revealed loan interest in Aston Villa striker Peter Crouch. The Blues are after two players ahead of their game with West Brom in 10 days while the Canaries are currently short of strikers.

Blues' boss Joe Royle says that he has consulted the 6'7" player's agent but not his club: "We have not spoken to Aston Villa about it, He is a player we have considered as a possibility, but speaking to the agent is as far as it's gone.

"Two players I've asked about have got injured and two others I was interested in moved just before the August window for Premiership club dealing closed."

Norwich manager Nigel Worthington has taken thigs a bit further than Royle, the Canaries suffering a minor striking injury crisis at present: "Taking him on loan is certainly something we would be interested in," said the Canaries' boss.

"We've made an inquiry and now we're waiting to hear back. Hopefully something can be sorted out but at the moment it's just a case of waiting to see what happens."

Crouch was a big success in Division One with Portsmouth and was a big favourite on the south coast. He moved to Villa 18 months ago, however the switch has not worked out.

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