Hughton set for Carrow Road talks

Norwich City have been granted permission by Birmingham City to speak to boss Chris Hughton as they seek a new manager.

The Canaries are without a boss as Paul Lambert left the club to take charge at Aston Villa and Norwich are keen to make a quick appointment. Hughton guided Blues to a top-six finish in the Championship last season but Birmingham lost out to Blackpool in the play-off semi-finals. Birmingham have confirmed they have "reluctantly granted" Hughton permission to speak to Norwich after the manager expressed an interest to hold talks at Carrow Road. Acting chairman Peter Pannu told Birmingham's official website: "Chris is a great manager and deserves the opportunity to speak to Norwich which is why we have granted him permission to speak to them." The 53-year-old former Newcastle manager, who has also been linked with the vacant West Brom manager's post, is now set for talks with Norwich and could be confirmed as the new boss at Carrow Road within the coming days.