Rowe’s future is bloomin’

NORWICH CITY are facing a battle to keep 20-year-old gem Jonathan Rowe beyond the transfer deadline.

Aston Villa are the latest club to express interest in red-hot attacker Rowe (above), who has scored 12 times in his 27 Championship outings this season.

West Ham and Crystal Palace are keen, too, and Rowe has been watched in person by Tottenham, Newcastle United and Brighton in recent months.

He misses today’s FA Cup tie against Liverpool at Anfield after breaking his hand, but Canaries boss David Wagner reported that Rowe does not require surgery.

The youngster is expected to be the subject of bids in the final days of the winter market. Norwich are determined to delay a potential sale until at least the end of the season as Rowe’s goals have kept them in touch for a top-six finish.

The Canaries have temporarily parked contract discussions, with Rowe’s current deal due to expire in the summer of 2025. They have the option to extend his stay by an extra 12 months, but like to tie Rowe down.

His remarkable season so far has also seen him score on his England Under-21 debut in October.

ANGOLA eased past Namibia 3-0 in Bouake to reach the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Black Sable Antelopes had goalkeeper Neblu sent off for handball outside the area in the 17th minute but still took the lead in the 38th minute through Gelson Dala.

Namibia’s Lubeni Haukongo was shown a second yellow five minutes before half-time.

Dala nodded in a second ahead of the break, with Mabululu adding a third.