CITY boss Glenn Roeder has revealed the saga of appointing his first team coach is almost at an end.

Hartlepool youth team manager Paul Stephenson looks set to be officially unveiled in the next few days as part of Roeder's backroom staff.

The 39-year-old has been a visible presence at both Carrow Road and Colney during the past two weeks as officials at the two clubs attempted to reach a settlement over Stephenson's departure.

And it would now seem the Canaries' patience has paid-off, with the former Newcastle winger expected to take-up his new role by next week.

But Roeder revealed Norwich had agreed to send a couple of players to Hartlepool on loan in the future to speed up the process.

"I think it's just about been resolved," said Roeder, who has not been shy in revealing his frustrations at the time it has taken to get former team-mate Stephenson to Norfolk.

"We will loan them a player or two when we can and hopefully that can help them out. I just thought it took longer than it should have done. And that's all."

Once Stephenson does join, it will end a six month spell where Norwich have been without a dedicated first team coach.

Martin Hunter left the Club on the eve of the Canaries' pre-season tour to Holland, throwing a real spanner into then-manager Peter Grant's preparations. Jim Duffy and Grant himself would go on to take training, with Grant revealing in the days shortly before he left the Club that he had been very close to getting a new man in, only to delay matters because of his own precarious situation.

And with Stephenson soon to join, the media have been quick to link Roeder with another swoop on the north east club, with winger James Brown thought to be on his wish-list.

And while the City boss would not be drawn on such links, he admitted he would be interested in any player who could improve his own squad.

"Obviously Paul Stephenson has got a great insight into all their players, but I would think there's one or two players who are being watched by many other teams," he said.

"But at the moment we are just listening to what Paul is saying and we'll make our own minds up.