ANTHONY McNamee made his expected departure from the County Ground last night, but manager Danny Wilson made up for the loss of the fans’ favourite with two deadline day swoops.

The diminutive winger signed on loan for League One rivals Norwich until the start of January, when it is expected to become a permanent switch, but Town’s ranks were strengthened by the captures of Leeds full-back Alan Sheehan and Bolton striker Danny Ward.

Left-sided Sheehan, who can also play in midfield, will remain in Wiltshire until January 4, and will go straight into the squad for tomorrow’s FA Cup second round tie at Wrexham, while Ward has signed a one-month temporary deal having impressed for the Premier League side’s reserve team this season.

McNamee’s exit came as no real shock, with the wide man constantly linked with a move to the Canaries since the summer, and he did not take part in training yesterday morning as he travelled to East Anglia to finalise the details of his switch.

Norwich boss Paul Lambert said: “I saw him (McNamee) play a few years ago when I was at Wycombe in a pre-season friendly against Watford. He was on one wing and Ashley Young on the other, and I remembered him.

“I then saw him again when I was at Colchester and he was quick, and he hasn’t lost that. So I’m glad we have got him in and he gives us another option.”

The Advertiser understands Town had been close to sealing a loan move for Hal Robson-Kanu - who had a spell at the County Ground last season - to replace McNamee, until the winger played a match-winning role for Reading last weekend from the substitutes’ bench.

Town chairman Andrew Fitton would not confirm their failed target, but admitted: “We thought we had a player in but it fell through.

“He came off the bench for his club on Saturday and did very well and is now in the first team.”

Meanwhile, Mark Marshall has returned to Swindon following the completion of his two-month loan spell at League Two Hereford, where he made 10 appearances.