Steve Evans revealed he has enquired about the availability "one or two" Norwich City players, including striker Kyle Lafferty, as he looks to bolster his squad before the closure of the emergency loan window.

Speaking in Thursday’s press conference ahead of the friendly away to Wycombe Wanderers, Evans also revealed that talks are ongoing to bring Sunderland midfielder Liam Bridcutt to the club after weeks of speculation.

Asked about interest in Lafferty, a Northern Ireland team-mate of United winger Stuart Dallas, Evans said: “I don’t know Kyle Lafferty but I didn’t like him when he played for Glasgow Rangers because he always gave Glasgow Celtic a problem.

“And I didn’t like him last season when he came on and changed the game against Rotherham.

“He’s good friends with Stuart - he’s done absolutely terrifically well for Northern Ireland and I’ve placed a call into Alex Neil just to ask what the situation is.

“It was just a call to ask about the availability of one or two players that Alex has.

“And Alex Neil I know is like myself - he’s a grafter. Alex is a friend and when he gets a minute and a decision he will call me.

“Lafferty is a good player but does it mean we can bring him to Elland Road and is he the first person we want in the door?

“They are all questions that will remain private but Kyle Lafferty is a lad that whatever happens, and I am being totally neutral here as I have never spoken to the kid, he needs to be playing first-team football if he’s going to the Euros in the summer.”

On the situation with Bridcutt, a player yet to feature for Sunderland this season, Evans added: “I know people are still talking and I know for a fact that the president was talking to the representatives of Liam last night (Wednesday) when I was with him over dinner.

“To sign good players there’s a lot of things that have to be ticked. It’s not just a case of ringing up Sunderland and asking for a player and everything’s hunky-dory and we can do it in ten minutes.

“It’s no hidden secret that the better players are harder to get.”