Clingan exit looks to be finally hoving into view as Gunn adds a new, old face to his pack

There was a sense today of a little lull before another transfer storm as the Canaries waited on Simon Whaley's medical before unveiling their fifth signing of the summer whilst off at the Ricoh Stadium, Coventry boss Chris Coleman sensed his move for Sammy Clingan was – finally – coming to the boil.

The 25-year-old Northern Ireland international was – one suspects – not due to be still at Colney when Norwich boss Bryan Gunn returned from the club's eight-day tour of Scotland.

The City would much rather have seen his transfer coffers swollen to the tune of a reported ?650,000 as Clingan made his long-expected exit back to the Championship.

Fee agreed, it appears that the delay has centred on Clingan's own personal terms. The sense from the Sky Blues boss today was that one or two people “have come to their senses” and a deal was now imminent.

“It is still bubbling,” said Coleman. “I think one or two people have come to their senses, which I am glad about, but we have got other targets as well.

“We all know we need to improve the squad that we have got and we will do that before the window ends, I'm certain of that.

“We have had a fruitful couple of days, making up a bit of ground on certain players with certain clubs, prices and personal terms but we will have to wait and see.

“The chairman has never let me down when I have asked for a player and with a bit of luck this week, fingers crossed and say my prayers, we might have a new face or two.”

All of which would only leave Darel Russell with a club to find after he, too, missed out on the tour to Scotland in the hope that he could jump ship back to the Championship this summer.

Gunn already his two replacements in place in the shape of Owain Tudur Jones and Matt Gill – both of whom are likely to feature in this weekend's Carrow Road clash against a 'Manchester United XI'.

He also, of course, has one or two of Ian Crook's Reserves chomping at the bit to be given their big break at first team level – most notably Tom Adeyemi and Korey Smith. The fact that Michael Spillane can also turn his hand to the role ensures that both Clingan and Russell can depart with their replacements sorted.

Tonight and the Lancashire Evening Telegraph was linking Russell with a switch to the Premiership as Burnley were linked to his signature. The paper even quoted a ?600,000 figure that the Clarets heard mention this time last summer.

But with just one-year to run on his latest City deal that figure is likely to be substantially less 12 months on; either way, with Burnley currently away on their own pre-season tour of America, all bets are off until their return next week.

In the meantime, the expectation now is that Lee Croft's replacement away on the right will be officially sorted in the next 24-hours as the final details of Whaley's switch to Norfolk are confirmed.

In the meantime, Gunn's list of triallists was extended again overnight as Robert Green's one-time Youth team pal Arran Lee-Barrett returned to the club after a two-year spell at Hartlepool United.

In part, the manager's latest foray into the keeper market was inspired by Declan Rudd's latest international invite – the teenage City keeper has been called up by the England Under-19s for the forthcoming European Championships in the Ukraine – and in part down to the fact that Gunn did not want to leave newly-arrived Aussie keeper Michael Theoklitos as the only senior keeper at his disposal.

Lee-Barrett, now 25, has 65 appearances for United under his belt – appearances that would, of course, make him well-known to both Canaries No2 Ian Butterworth and prospective Canary skipper and former Pools favourite Michael Nelson.

In every likelihood, Rudd will find himself playing second fiddle to Middlesbrough's Jason Steele in a tournament that kicks off tonight with a game against Switzerland and could yet see the Canary teenager away until August 2 should the young Lions reach the final of the competition.

Lee-Barrett could make his City debut away at Dereham Town tomorrow night as Crook takes his young charges the short distance down the A47 for their latest outing; if not then Jed Steer's summer education in the ways of mens' football will continue.

Theoklitos should make his own first appearance in a City shirt in Saturday's home clash with that young Manchester United XI.