Southend United boss David Webb confirmed today that he had made an offer for Norwich City's Northern Ireland international striker Adrian Coote.

The Shrimpers chief made an official faxed bid for the 22-year-old after watching him in action for the Norfolk outfit's reserves at Colchester United on Monday.

And Webb has decided to see if the Canaries would be willing to part with the 6ft 1ins tall frontman, who has scored a phenomenal 17 goals in just ten appearances for Norwich's second string this season.

"I've been watching Adrian for a few weeks now and have followed up my interest with an official offer," revealed Webb. "Adrian was recommended to me by a contact and one of our coaches Rob Newman, who is a former Norwich player, also spoke highly of him.

"He is a big lad who has been in and out of Norwich's First team, but I believe he could score goals for us. But Adrian isn't officially available for transfer, so I have made a bid to see if Norwich will let him go."

Webb wouldn't reveal the size of his offer for the front-runner, saying only that Blues' bid matched his "own valuation" of the player.

Coote has struggled to make Norwich's substitutes bench during the past few weeks and the arrival of new £350,000 hitman Zema Abbey from Cambridge United last week would seem to have limited his chances even further.

However, the Canaries' caretaker manager Nigel Worthington said no players would be leaving Carrow Road before Christmas. "We've had an offer from Southend," he said. "But nobody will be leaving the club this side of Christmas as I need to keep all my players together to get us through the busy festive period."

Webb said his bid had not been knocked back by Norwich, but he had heard rumours that Blues' valuation of Coote was "three times lower" than what the First Division strugglers believed him to be worth.

Coote, who was born in Great Yarmouth and progressed through the ranks at Carrow Road, has made 46 League appearances for Norwich, mostly as a substitute, scoring three goals.

He has made nine League and cup outings this term, but has failed to find the net.

l The Shrimpers' reserve team clash at Bristol Rovers was cancelled last night because of poor weather in the west country.

l Blues' Third Division fixture at Darlington has been switched to Tuesday, February 6, kick-off 7.45pm.

The game was originally meant to be played on Saturday, January 6, but has been changed because Southend meet Conference strugglers Kingstonian in the third round of the FA Cup on that date.

Wanted man - Southend United are keen to acquire Adrian Coote's services

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