Former Norwich City captain Russell Martin expressed his sympathy for Dean Smith after his sacking as the Canaries' head coach, but refused to rule out a return to Carrow Road.

Smith was dismissed by City yesterday after a 2-1 Boxing Day defeat to 10-man Luton Town worsened already strained relations between him and the club's fans.

The Norfolk side's precarious play-off position added to their worries after an inconsistent start to the Championship season, with consecutive losses meaning even 16th-placed Swansea could mathematically leapfrog them this weekend.

The Welsh side are currently led by Martin and are winless in six, after a promising burst of form saw them competing for a play-off spot earlier this season.

The 36-year-old's focus is on the Swans at present, after a loss to Reading last night that he described as "pathetic".

That hasn't stopped speculation that he's in the frame for a switch to his former club, however, with bookies' odds at 4/1 for a move to the Norfolk hot seat.

Norwich sporting director Stuart Webber also has a good relationship with Martin, who left the club by mutual consent in 2018 after a nine-year spell featuring three promotions, 94 Premier League appearances and 17 goals.

Asked by Talksport whether he'd be interested in taking over from Smith, he refused to discuss his own future, however, instead opting to share sympathy with his fellow coach.

"My only thoughts are that I'm really sorry for Dean that he loses his job," he said. "I hate the fact that in this game someone loses their job, and rather than talk about that, the first thing someone wants to talk about is who's going to replace him. So that's it."

The Canaries will be led by a team headed by set-piece coach Allan Russell and head of football development Steve Weaver in the short term, with two quick-fire Championship fixtures on the horizon.

They'll first take on the Royals at home on Friday, before welcoming Watford to NR1 three days later on January 2.