LUTON SNAP-UP YOUNG NORWICH CITY DUO ON LOAN

Luton Town have completed the double captures of young Norwich City duo Chris Martin and Michael Spillane on season-long loans.

Martin, 19, an England U-19 international, is a pacy striker who has made 25 League appearances, scoring 4 goals to date for the Canaries after progressing through their youth academy.

After impressing in the club's FA Youth Cup run, including two goals against Portsmouth, he was given a place on the bench for a game against Plymouth Argyle on January 13th 2007. He was set to make his first senior start away at Burnley, although the match being postponed prevented him from doing this, but he made his first-team debut in Norwich's 0-1 home defeat against Wolves ten days later on January 30th 2007.

Martin scored his first goal in an FA Cup Fourth Round replay against Blackpool in February 2007 at Carrow Road; the goal eventually proved to be the winner for Norwich. He grabbed his first league goal against Coventry City on in late February 2007.

Two more League goals against Barnsley and, ironicially, at Kenilworth Road against the Hatters quickly followed, as he began to firmly establish himself as a fans' favourite. His run of goal scoring form continued against Derby County, scoring one and having another ruled offside.

Martin scored on his debut for the England Under-19s, when he came on as a late substitute in a 1-0 victory against Turkey in March 2007. He apparently turned down the opportunity to represent Scotland (he was eligible due to his Father being a Glaswegian) in favour of representing England.

However, Martin was rumoured to have suffered from off-the-field problems, as a newspaper article alleged that he had been banned from several pubs in the Beccles, Bungay and Southwold areas for continuous brawls.

Meanwhile, Spillane, 19, is a Republic Of Ireland U-21 international midfielder, with two caps to his name upon joining Luton Town.
A tough-tackling midfielder who can also operate in defence, Spillane signed a full, professional, three-year contract with Norwich City on June 30th 2006. He had already made his first-team debut by this time however, against West Ham United in the 2006 FA Cup Third Round.

He has also represented the Republic of Ireland U-17 side, for whom he was the captain, in the Algarve tournament. He captained the Republic of Ireland U-18 side to an international tournament win, scoring twice in the Portugal tournament; netting in a 2-2 draw with Belgium and then striking a late winner against the hosts. The squad also recorded a 3-1 win against Georgia.

Spillane was given his first extended run in the Norwich side towards the end of the 2006-07 season. He got his chance in the centre of midfield due to injuries to Youssef Safri, Simon Lappin and Mark Fotheringham.

Upon joining Luton Town, Spillane had made 13 League appearances for the Carrow Road-based side.

Their arrivals are expected to be followed by the permanent signings of triallists Asa Hall, George Pilkington, Ian Roper and Claude Gnakpa.
Story date: Thursday, August 7, 2008