Ruthless Roeder axes Huckerby

Norwich City manager Glenn Roeder has released nine players from the club, including Darren Huckerby.

Roeder was appointed in October and he helped the club avoid relegation from the Championship with a good run of results, including an unbeaten spell of 13 league matches between December and February.

Norwich lost their final match of the season 4-1 at Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday and Roeder has decided to wield the axe.

Huckerby's contract will not be renewed and he will be released along with Rossi Jarvis, Ryan Jarvis, Bally Smart, Patrick Bexfield, Andrew Cave-Brown, Steven Arnold, Matthew Halliday and Juan Velasco.

Roeder said: "I have talked it over with Darren and told him we will not be offering him a contract for next season.

"I am looking to overhaul the squad for next season and beyond and a number of players, including Darren, are not part of those plans. I'd like to place on record my recognition for what he has achieved during his time at Norwich City, particularly in the promotion season."

Huckerby was part of the Norwich squad that won the Championship in 2004 and he scored 14 goals in the process.

But he has only managed to score 27 goals for the club in the last four seasons.

Norwich chairman Roger Munby said: "The fans have always had a special relationship with Darren, illustrated from the start when they helped us to make the calculated gamble of signing him from Manchester City for £750,000, by supporting our share issue in the winter of 2003.

"For his part Darren has been a professional servant to the football club on the pitch.

"Our heartfelt and sincere best wishes go with him as the club moves into a new era."

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