Southend United have completed a short-term deal for experienced Norwich City utility man Daryl Sutch ahead of tomorrow's marathon slog to Carlisle.

The 31-year-old has signed an initial month-long contract, but Blues manager Rob Newman hopes his former Canaries team mate will be sticking around longer.

"A short term deal gives both parties a chance to see if they like each other and if everything works out Daryl could extend his stay at Roots Hall," said Newman.

"I'm pleased to get him on board as he has bags of experience. He has spent his entire career at Norwich and has only played in the Premiership and First Division.

"Daryl is a regular 30-40 games a season player and is very flexible. He can play at right-back, right-wing, in the centre of midfield and, at a push, even centre-back.

"But he has been left out in the cold at Norwich this term, after playing a key-role in their Premier League promotion push last season.

"And after deciding to leave Carrow Road, Daryl was keen to come here and I hope his influence will rub off on the other players around him."

Sutch, a former England under-21 international, clocked up 352 games for Norwich, scoring nine goals, which included UEFA Cup appearances against both Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.

But his last run-out was the Canaries' 4-2 penalty shoot-out defeat against Birmingham City in May's First Division play-off final, with Sutch missing a spot-kick at Cardiff's Millennium stadium.

Newman also revealed he had failed in a sensational loan swoop for former Shrimpers goalkeeper Simon Royce, as cover for Roots Hall number one Darryl Flahavan, who has a thigh injury.

"Simon is third choice at Leicester City and I tried to get him because he is a local lad and knows our set-up well," he added. "But their number two, Tim Flowers, has picked up an injury and Simon is needed as cover for Ian Walker."

Published Friday, January 3, 2003

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