City boss Bryan Gunn could yet find himself with some much-needed breathing space today as talks continue as to whether or not to extend today's 5pm transfer deadline given the fact that the country was coming to an icy standstill.
And given that the A50 out of the Potteries was likely to be one of those roads worst affected, it could all help Gunn's pursuit of Stoke centre-half Andrew Davies with both the Sentinel and SkySports reporting that the 24-year-old former Saints star was next on the City manager's shopping list.
The Canaries' latest recruit – Rangers' Alan Gow – has already found himself stuck at a Glasgow airport this morning and is now due to fly into Birmingham in the hope of meeting up with his new team-mates at a hotel there tonight.
Provided, of course, that City can reach the Midlands themselves as the snow continues to cause travel chaos ahead of Norwich's trip to Wolves tomorrow night.
Where – and how – Davies might team up with Gunn and Co if the reports of his imminent loan arrival are ever confirmed is another matter.
Which is one of the reasons why urgent talks were underway this lunchtime to try and see if the deadline could not be pushed back by another 24 hours to help the Gows and the Davies' of this world get together with their prospective new employers.
“It [the weather] is already having an effect in terms of making it difficult for players to get from one end of the country to the other,” said Mike Foster, the general secretary of the Premier League.
Such talks would have to include both the Football Association and the sport's governing body, FIFA. Neither are exactly renowned for their quick reactions.
But, as Norwich have already discovered this morning, the snow is already hitting their best-laid transfer plans as Gunn continues to make a new centre-half his No1 priority.
“Even short journeys are difficult, especially in the South East. I know that because clubs have informed us of the problems they are encountering trying to get deals concluded,” Foster told SkySports News.
“We are currently trying to gauge the level of activity, how many transactions are in the pipeline. It would be nice if would could simply extend the deadline by 24 or 48 hours, but it's not a decision we can take alone.
“We need to liaise with the FA, who in turn need to liaise with FIFA. Those conversations have taken place and we are currently exploring the possibility. Currently, the deadline remains at 5pm, but we are in consultation with FA and, in turn, FIFA, to see of there is any flexibility in the system.”
Davies' arrival would certainly help Norwich's cause after the one-time Boro Academy product finds his path to regular first-team football blocked by two players with strong Norwich connections – one-time Manchester United loan target Ryan Shawcross and Carl Cort's kid brother, Leon, have both figured ahead of him in Tony Pulis' thinking.
And given that the Potters chief is on the hunt himself for an experienced centre-half, so Davies' prospects of a regular run of games look to be fading fast at the Britannia.
His exit from cash-strapped St Mary's last summer caused the usual out-cry – particularly since he had just been voted Southampton's Player of the Year by the supporters.
In an injury-hit season, that was no mean feat.
He had also been made skipper by then Saints boss Jan Poortvliet – suggesting that the player has many of the leadership qualities that Gunn would be looking for in terms of his all-too leaky defence.
But this season Davies has yet to make a Premier League start. His one and only start for his new employers following that ?1 million summer switch came in the 2-0 FA Cup defeat at Hartlepool at the beginning of last month.
His cause wasn't helped by a succession of niggling knee problems which saw him make a second, belated “comeback” in November. But Pulis clearly rated the Saints favourite – handing him a four-year deal as part of that ?1 million plus switch.
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