Canaries close to Ashton deal

Norwich are set to sign Crewe striker Dean Ashton after making a successful bid for the Coca-Cola Championship club’s top scorer.

Crewe boss Dario Gradi has confirmed the 19-goal forward will head to Carrow Road for talks today after a written offer from the Canaries for the 21-year-old was accepted last night.

“The ball is in his court, and he might have even signed for them by the end of the day,” Gradi told his club’s official website, www.crewealex.co.uk.

If the move does not go through, however, Gradi confirmed Ashton will remain in his side for tomorrow’s FA Cup third-round tie at Coventry.