After a strong start to the season, Norwich City have endured a dip in form and now face a fierce battle in the race for promotion.

Currently sat seventh, they're now nine points behind the automatic promotion spots and will likely have to settle for a place in the play-offs.

With a wealth of sides to compete with for a place in the top-six, Norwich's January activity needs to be shrewd and snatching players from the Premier League would be the perfect route for Alex Neil, particularly if he targets those currently overlooked at their current sides.

If Neil was to secure a few players with top-flight pedigree, Norwich's hopes of returning to the Premier League would be bolstered significantly and the option of regular football and a charge for a return to the top-flight will be appealing for any top-flight outcast.

These FOUR players in particular should have a close eye kept on them in the weeks ahead, before a potential swoop for their services in the New Year.

Jordan Rhodes

Having torn apart the Championship with Blackburn Rovers and guiding Middlesbrough to promotion, Jordan Rhodes hasn't had the chances he would like in the Premier League as the arrival of Alvaro Negredo has severely reduced his first-team football.

Whilst Aitor Karanka has insisted there's still a place for Rhodes within his squad, the 26-year-old has just four appearances this season and will be craving more- which may lead Middlesbrough to have no choice but to offload the forward.

If Norwich land his signature, they'll have a striker capable of firing them back into the top-flight and topping the scoring charts.

Jerome Sinclair

Another attacking option for Norwich in January is reviving a failed move for Watford youngster Jerome Sinclair, who has made just one Premier League appearances since leaving Liverpool to join the Hornets this summer.

The lack of first-team football will likely put Sinclair available for loan in January and Norwich, having seen a move fall through on Deadline Day, should already have their foot in the door with negotiations- and Sinclair has the ability to fire Norwich back into the Premier League.

Ben Chilwell

 

Highly-rated by many top-flight Premier League sides, Leicester City need to give some leeway to Ben Chilwell in the youngster's quest for regular football.

With that not forthcoming with the Foxes, a loan move in January is a likely option.

Leicester could be stuck in negotiations as they won't want to lose the player on a permanent basis, so Norwich should take advantage with a loan move.

Chilwell, as one of the brightest youngsters in English football, would significantly bolster the club's defence and help Alex Neil's side push for promotion.

Timothy Fosu-Mensah

Another loan option from the Premier League is Manchester United's Timothy Fosu-Mensah, who is unlikely to benefit from regular football with Jose Mourinho's side as the Portuguese boss is happy to splash the cash regularly and isn't renowned for handing chances to young players.

The 18-year-old has had a handful of bows this season for the Red Devils but a spell with Norwich would significantly increase his playing time, helping the teenager to become accustomed to English football and continue his development.