Town boss Paul Lambert says he doesn’t “know too much” about Dundee United’s reported interest in Blues striker James Norwood, who is also now being linked with Swindon Town.

Dundee United’s interest in Norwood surfaced last month with the Tangerines’ local paper reporting on Friday that they are continuing to work on a loan move for the 29-year-old. The Scottish Premiership side are managed by Norwood's former Tranmere boss Micky Mellon.

“I never knew about the Dundee United thing,” Lambert said when asked about the reported interest following yesterday’s friendly at Spurs. “Could Dundee United afford him anyway? I don’t think so.

“James has got to show me what he can do and get back into the team and show what he did at Tranmere.

“If he does that, then he’s got another chance here to go and perform the way I know he can. He is a goalscorer, the lad, but he’s got to get himself fit, which is important. But the Dundee United thing, I don’t really know too much about it.”

Norwood is yet to feature this pre-season as he continues his rehabilitation programme following the groin surgery he underwent in February, the second time he had gone under the knife during 2019/20.

Asked whether Norwood was a player he still wanted to use in the season ahead, Lambert added: “Yes, he had an unfortunate time with injuries, he went off the boil as well, like they all did, but the way we’re playing at this minute, I’m happy.”

According to The Sun on Sunday’s Alan Nixon, League Two champions Swindon are also keen on taking Norwood on loan and claims the Blues would allow him to depart, although would prefer a sale.

Ipswich. Will let Norwood go. Prefer a sale. Swindon in for him on loan.– Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) August 23, 2020

However, it’s understood Town are not looking to offload Norwood this summer and, given the constraints of the League One salary cap, if he were to move on would find it very difficult to bring in another striker of a similar standard.

Norwood is due back in training on Monday and may have a chance of featuring in Tuesday's friendly against West Ham at Portman Road.

Photo: TWTD

jas0999 added 10:49 - Aug 23 There is no point selling Norwood as we'd be unable to replace with a better option owing to the salary cap. We've replaced Keane, but need all striker options for what will be a very long, tough season.
12

SaigonTractor added 10:51 - Aug 23 I just cannot see why we'd ever let this happen, especially on loan and with the salary cap. It would be almost impossible to find a good replacement. We aren't in financial trouble either. Having said all that, I'm still bit worried that this story is lingering.
6

Bluearmy_81 added 11:02 - Aug 23 Whatever Lord Evans decides. Support the club ffs!
0

blue86 added 11:05 - Aug 23 Is a bit worrying, I just hope norwood still wants to be here? A fully fit James norwood in league 1 will score goals providing he gets the service. Norwood has proved he can be that central lone striker in a 433, who else at the club can do this role? Jackson? Seems better suited in a front two. Sears? Again probably better in a front two and he is used more as a wide foward these days. Hawkins potentially, but is he a natural goal scorer? Drinnan has the physical attributes to be a lone striker, but very unproven. Norwood is an important player for us, I just hope his head and heart is with ipswich.

10

algarvefan added 11:16 - Aug 23 Bluearmy_81 you just had to didn't you!!
5

casanovacrow added 11:19 - Aug 23 I'm baffled, we've made some really terrible transfer decisions in the past few years but this one would be next level. Can't find logic in this anywhere, anyone on here want to enlighten me?
7

TimmyH added 11:28 - Aug 23 Why are other clubs interested if he's still in contract?...maybe James is not happy here or something we haven't read.
4

Nthsuffolkblue added 11:43 - Aug 23 When did Alan Nixon last say a rumour that turned out to have any substance?
2

DurhamTownFan added 12:07 - Aug 23 I think the reason this story won't go away is because the player wants to move. We haven't heard anything from JN himself On how much he wants to stay have we? No doubt his agent is stirring things around to try and get some business.
4

Linkboy13 added 12:26 - Aug 23 Think its obvious he doesn't want to play for the club and the club's interested in him are not exactly brilliant which about sums him up.
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Bluearmy_81 added 12:49 - Aug 23 A vote up from Rabbit!!! Strange days 😂🤣😂
0

Cakeman added 12:59 - Aug 23 A fully committed, fit and firing James Norwood would do exceptionally well in league one. I have severe doubts he wants to be with us though. He is not likely to make noises about leaving unless something else in concrete is in place as he is no doubt on very good wages with us. Judging by a lot of his social media comments over the past few months he seems to have far more interest in what's happening at Tranmere Rovers than us. Could all be paper talk but Paul Lambert evidently has doubts about him too.

3

Len_Brennan added 13:42 - Aug 23 It certainly reads like there is an issue between Lambert & Norwood that goes beyond the injury; form, effort, application, attitude? He was not the success we expected him to be last season & seems more enthusiastic about his social media opportunities at times. If he doesn't want to be here, we'd be better off letting him go; but where would we getting a centre forward to replace him?

2

runningout added 14:28 - Aug 23 Norwood is a very good striker who doesn't seem to have any connection to our manager. I hope this isn't too contagious. Lamberts Record in recent management needs a major boost!!! I hope it's blooming soon
0

martin587 added 14:31 - Aug 23 Reading between the lines and social media over the past weeks there seems to be a fall out somewhere.It does appear he want to be elsewhere and IF that's the case I'm sorry to say it would be best if he were sold and not loaned out. We have never seen the best of him so it's hard to say if he will be a big lose or not.On a personal note I would rather he stay and showed us just how good he was when at a Tranmere.Getting another proven striker in on capped wages now would be asking too much.We need a settled strike force now so action needs to be taken now and not to let the situation fester on.

2

TractorRoyNo1 added 14:52 - Aug 23 Rumours rumours girlfriend went back up north leaving him on his own with her silly dogs
1

unknown100 added 15:14 - Aug 23 Sorry but he had his shot with a big league one team to make his mark and there's talks of him wanting to move, having a bad attitude and not wanting to play for the club after 1 season, sounds like a great attitude, really seizing his opportunity! He could help us win promotion and be a championship player or go to Dundee or Swindon? Great career decisions
1

neil1968 added 16:03 - Aug 23 unknown100 . Dundee utd are in the top half of scottish premier 5 games after being newly promoted . Fair enough Scottish standard not as high as ours but any player in our league what effectively is the 3rd division would seriously consider a move
0

sixtyblue added 16:05 - Aug 23 Lambert is a down and I down liar,not fit to manage town has only shown interest in upsetting players and supporters with his li know nothing.This man is still of scum blood and not fit to manage town.Should have never been brought here.Over to you Marcus get rid of him and replace with blue blood.
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Blue_75 added 17:36 - Aug 23 We need to issue a firm “Not for sale” (and certainly “not for loan”) statement! As others have said, the Salary Cap means we couldn't replace him with a player of a similar standard. Therefore, why would we possibly consider weakening our squad for no apparent reason? Norwood needs managing as he is one of our most important players and capable of firing us to promotion.

0

leftie1972 added 18:56 - Aug 23 Swindon! Really! 🤣
1

peteswindon added 19:42 - Aug 23 This is a blinking joke, blokes been injured. If we let him go atm then I am finished with this joke of a club.
1

Crump66 added 20:50 - Aug 23 Norwood needs to get his fitness up.To be totally honest I would be good if he went out on loan for a while maybe it would give the likes of Drinann ,Lancaster etc a run in the first team.Then maybe get Norwood back 100% fit.
0

ArnieM added 20:57 - Aug 23 So another Club is mid linked with the absent Norwood. Find , if it's to bd , it's to be, but wtf is all this “loan” shyte???
0

ArnieM added 21:08 - Aug 23 I still say the Club are trying to offload his wages for this season . Why've has would these clubs linked to him be even talking about a “ loan” deal ?
0

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