Huckerby not sold on City move

Darren Huckerby is in no rush to leave Manchester City despite the queue of Nationwide League promotion hopefuls eager to sign him.

Blues boss Kevin Keegan has already accepted bids of £750,000 (€1,066,760) from West Brom and Norwich for the 27-year-old striker, who has just returned from an impressive loan spell with the Canaries.

Wigan, West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United are also believed to be interested in signing Huckerby when the transfer window opens at the end of the month, while Celtic boss Martin O’Neill expressed an interest in him last term.

Keegan could do with the cash to fund a move for goalkeeping cover for David Seaman in the new year.

However, Huckerby’s agent Phil Smith said his client still thinks he is capable of operating at Premiership level and is hopeful of forcing his way back into Keegan’s plans.

“Darren has gone back to Manchester City and he wants to give it a go,” said Smith.

“He hasn’t decided that his future lies away from the club. He would like a chance to play for City again and it will be self-evident over the next couple of weeks whether he will get it or not.”

Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester United was City’s eighth game without a win, a run which has placed Keegan under a huge amount of pressure.

The former England boss could be tempted to draft Huckerby into his squad for Monday’s Premiership encounter with Leeds at Eastlands as he looks to arrest the slide.

If he is not involved, and does not get a call for the festive fixtures against Birmingham and Liverpool which follow, it is likely the Nottingham-born player will seek a move.

With 18 months of his current contract still to run, Smith admitted any transfer would pose financial problems that would not be easy to overcome.

“If he was to leave Manchester City there are a few issues to be resolved,” he said.

“It would also be very difficult for Darren to entertain a permanent move into the Nationwide League.

“We will speak to West Brom and Norwich in due course but we also believe there are other clubs interested in him who are operating at a higher level.

“Too many people are trying to put words into his mouth at the moment and we feel it is better to let the matter take its natural course.”

Meanwhile, Keegan has been boosted by the return to training of Mikkel Bischoff and Danny Tiatto.

Bischoff, who has made just one first team appearance this season, has been out of action since September after suffering a foot injury.

With the City reserve side not due back to action until after the new year, Keegan is pondering whether to arrange a couple of practice matches to give the 21-year-old some game time.

Tiatto is closer to making his comeback and while he is unlikely to be considered for Monday’s encounter with Leeds, could make a welcome return at left-back for the Boxing Day trip to St Andrews.

“We have been a bit short on left-sided players but he will need games,” said Keegan.

“He has been out for quite a while, so it will be a big plus to have him back.”