Scunthorpe United have confirmed that Oliver Norwood has ended his current loan spell with the club and has headed back to Old Trafford to re-join his parent club.
The Burnley born midfielder has had a relatively successful loan spell so far with the Iron, and was instrumental in the win during his final league appearance for us against Hartlepool.
Oliver’s loan spell thus ended the very next day – and it has been reported that numerous Championship players may be interested in loaning the midfeidler.
Norwood, who has represented Northern Ireland at all levels, has played 18 times for the Iron during his loan spell: managing to get on the score-sheet at home to high flying Huddersfield.
Despite all this – both Alan Knill and Chris Brass have gone on record saying that they’d like him back at Scunthorpe, but it’s not yet known for sure Norwood’s fate. Especially since the meeting between all the respective coaches at the Premier League Champions has yet to take place.
Whilst Knilly & co, alongside the fans – would very much like him back: it appears more and more unlikely as time goes on.
This is such the case, that the Iron have been making concrete enquirees about others to bring into the club as they try to find a replacement for Oliver Norwood.
One such name mentioned has been Mike Jones from Bury – who of course worked with Alan Knill. That said – it’s not yet known what level of cash the Iron have to try and secure the services of another midfielder.
Personally, don’t be surprised if they try and find a like for like replacement for Norwood if possible. Finding loanees is not as difficult in January might otherwise be: especially for youngster looking for experience.
And with the Iron still having 9 days worth of activity till the next game, (away to Colchester), that gives Knilly & co plenty of time to ship a few bodies in and out if required.
So let’s just hope that as far as this one goes – that if they can’t get Norwood back quickly and for a decent length of time: that a very able replacement is found.
Especially since the Iron have already lost previous loanee Shane Duffy this afternoon – (see: http://www.anyoldiron1.blogspot.com/2012/01/everton-recall-duffy.html for more details), adding to the squad will be key if the Iron are to build on the Hartlepool win.
Well, here’s many thanks to Oliver Norwood’s spell with the Iron, and just hoping it might not have ended forever just yet.
Up the Iron!
Any Old Iron 