Oldham manager Paul Dickov has confirmed he wants in demand Norwich City striker Cody McDonald at Boundary Park next season.

McDonald's prolific season on loan at League Two Gillingham brought 26 goals and a host of interest in the 25-year-old former Dartford man, whose hopes of remaining at Priestfield Stadium ended with the Gills' failed promotion bid.

The Latics are the latest club lying in wait for the striker should the Canaries be willing to negotiate – although it remains to be seen whether Dickov could afford a permanent deal, instead bidding to take McDonald away on another season-long loan.

Dickov also confirmed he wants League Two's leading scorer last season Clayton Donaldson for next season, with the 27-year-old front man out of contract this summer.

However, the Latics boss is well aware of the competition on his hands.

'I am not stupid and realise that goalscorers of their calibre are going to attract a lot of interest,' said Dickov. 'I have spoken to both, but there are a lot of clubs in for them.

'If it is purely down to money, then they are not my type of player. I want footballers who will buy into what we are trying to achieve here.'

The list of clubs reportedly interested in McDonald's signature is a long one – including Charlton, Coventry, Leyton Orient and Peterborough United and the man who signed him believes whatever the Canaries decide to do with the striker, they are in a great position.

Former Canaries goalkeeper and manager Bryan Gunn signed up the Isthmian League 22-year-old in February 2009 for the princely sum of �25,000 and a pre-season friendly.

McDonald has risen a long way since then.

'It will be down to Paul, but he is certainly one of those where if he is still at Norwich you would have him on the bench because he could get you a goal late in the game,' said Gunn.

'I think he's still developing and still learning – there is plenty for Cody to learn and if he was back at Norwich for a full term he could do that.

'And if he does go out on loan or if there is a transfer in the making, I'm sure he will do a good job for whoever. I think he is a really valuable asset, considering he only cost �25,000.'

'He's a typical striker. He will work hard for his team-mates and if you give him a chance at whatever level, he will score a goal.

'He is just one of those natural goalscorers, he finds himself in the right place – as he proved last year.'

McDonald – believed to be contracted to City until the end of next season – picked up the League Two fans' player of the year award and a host of end of season awards at Priestfield Stadium for his efforts.

'He's a really nice lad, really humble and for him and his young family it was a great opportunity (signing for Norwich),' added Gunn, who now works for a sports agency in Cheshire. 'He feels privileged I think to be a professional football player, and you could see that from every game and when he came into training.'

Gunn added: 'When I was head of player recruitment with Glenn Roeder we had a couple of scouting reports on Cody.

'One said he was a bit raw and it was difficult to assess him, so I asked what the score was – 3-2. And the how many did he get? Three. Another said he didn't make the right runs. I asked the same questions: won 2-0, two goals.

'He may have cost the club a little more now through promotions and bonuses but, all in all, for that sort of money he was obviously well worth taking a chance on.

'I don't even think it was a gamble.'