The Irish FA last night hit Norwich City with a swift ‘no’ after they requested permission to speak to international manager Nigel Worthington.

The Championship side sacked Glenn Roeder on Wednesday and although they did the same thing to Worthington two-and-a-half years ago, they were keen to have him back.

That won’t happen after they were rebuffed by the IFA and Worthington has declared his commitment to Northern Ireland.

“The president (Raymond Kennedy) was straightforward with me, we talked openly about the situation and at the end of it we agreed that we are both 100% committed to the jobs we are doing,” said Worthington.

“I am very flattered to have a club make an approach for me, but when you are manager of your country you can’t be much more flattered than that.

“We have a game next month and I am fully focused on that.”

While Worthington is staying as manager, some of his international charges may be on the move within the next few days — or at least before the transfer window closes.

While Rangers may take Chris Baird to Scotland on-loan, a former Ibrox man could be on his way back to the Premier League.

Tottenham Hotspur are understood to be interested in signing goalkeeper Roy Carroll, but any deal to take the Fermanagh-man to White Hart Lane will have to wait until he turns out for Derby County in the second-leg of their Carling Cup semi-final against Manchester United at Old Trafford next week.

Under-21 international Jamie Ward saw a move to Barnsley fall through last week, but he may still be on his way to the Championship. Sheffield United are understood be interested and Derby are also believed to be watching developments.