Alex Neil wants to bring Dieumerci Mbokani back to Norwich City

Former Norwich City striker Dieumerci Mbokani remains in Alex Neil's sights. Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd ©Focus Images Limited www.focus-images.co.uk +447814 482222

Alex Neil confirmed on Thursday afternoon he is keen on a Carrrow Road reunion with former loan striker Dieumerci Mobkani - while dismissing reports of a deal for Jérôme Onguéné.

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Alex Neil takes part in Norwich City's open training day at Carrow Road. Photo: Simon Finlay Alex Neil takes part in Norwich City's open training day at Carrow Road. Photo: Simon Finlay

Neil made it clear at his pre-Ipswich Town briefing the Canaries had not completed a swoop for the French European Championship U19 winning defender Onguéné, contrary to reports in other sections of the media earlier in the day.

Mbokani, however, is on his striker target list after finishing as Norwich’s top scorer during a season-long loan stint in the last campaign. Mbokani is now back with his parent club Dynamo Kiev, but quotes attributed to the powerhouse in recent days suggested he wants a return to England.

“We have looked at him and probably another 300 strikers,” said Neil. “We have gone via his agent to see where he is and what he wants to do. Like a lot of strikers, the priority is to play in the Premier League. That is where it has been left but if it changes then we are certainly interested.

“All the work has been done in terms of targets. We have identified the players. We are trying to get the deals done and that gets passed on through agents to the clubs and so on. There is a whole host of negotiations that have to take place and need to happen. I want a striker more than anybody else so I can assure you there is no one trying harder than me or anyone within the club.

“Jez (Moxey) has been great since he came in and is working extremely hard and doing a lot of work behind-the-scenes.

“With him (Onguéné) as I said before our main interest and port of call is to get a striker through the door. I don’t thnk we can spend money elsewhere on any other position until that is secured and that is still the situation.”

Neil deliver a mixed injury bulletin ahead of the derby with Jacob Murphy set to be in contention after a hamstring injury but Graham Dorrans (groin) has suffered a setback and the likes of Martin Olsson (hamstring), John Ruddy (groin) and Alex Pritchard (muscular injury) will not be fit.

“This game will be too soon for John and Martin. Graham has had a little setback, but they are talking a couple of days rather than weeks. The lads who have been out will remain out,” said Neil. “Jacob has trained today and that was his first day so providing there is no reaction and he can get a session in on Saturday there is no reason he can’t come back into the fold.”