Midfielder David Norris says he’s not too far away from a first team return after coming through 60 minutes of yesterday’s training game unscathed. The former Plymouth man has been out of action since damaging knee ligaments on the opening day of the season.

Norris told the club site: "I can't wait to play again for the first team. I had a good run out and the knee felt fine. I've had no reaction at all, so that's great news.

"I had a few aches and pains generally when I woke up this morning because it was my first proper game since August, but everything is very positive and now it's about getting my match sharpness.

"Fitness-wise I'm not too bad. I've done various tests in training and I'm showing up pretty much at the same levels as in pre-season, but it's that match sharpness that you need and that only comes with training and playing games.

"I'm not that far away though and it's just down to the gaffer when he sees me as being available again but I'm desperate to be involved as soon as possible."

Last week manager Roy Keane said he expected Norris to be back early in January or perhaps as a sub over the Christmas period if he progresses more quickly than anticipated.

Meanwhile, Carlos Edwards says the players enjoyed their Christmas party in London at the weekend: “We had a great time, but we know as players we have to keep our eyes on the ball.

“On and off pitch team spirit must be good and we have that with a great bunch of lads.

“It is wonderful nights like Sunday that builds the unity that you need to have, but the bigger picture is to now move on and lift Ipswich Town into the top half of the table.”

Elsewhere, former Blue Fabian Wilnis has returned to playing football with amateur side VV Smitshoek having retired last summer: “I was planning to run a marathon and move away from football, but I have got the bug again.

“Because of the regulations I cannot play until January, but I have signed on and am looking forward to getting back out on the field again.”

Wilnis is back in Ipswich on Thursday evening signing copies of his book Full English in the Buttermarket from 6pm until 9pm. Signed copies of the book are also available from TWTD here.

Photo: Action Images

FenboyBlue added 17:06 - Dec 16 Funnier headline would've been "Norris: I'm on the Vinegar Strokes now"
0

multipulemicky added 17:25 - Dec 16 we will have a blinding team then !!!
0

wisebluey added 17:36 - Dec 16 i have to say, i'm very excited about the 'roy keane era' at town now. been a dodge start i know, but i think the future is looking bright. i have a very 'indirect' connection john Stead (my goldfishes aunties brothers sons best mates dog, clive) and news was at the end of last season the players were not very good mates, and never 'hung out' outside of football . there seems to be a 'team' now and roy is the man doing that. Theres been alot of crap about his signings, and as far as i can see, healy was the only 'weird' one. Great to see norris back soon. very excited about next year.... COYB

0

Flip added 17:37 - Dec 16 Be like a new signing he's what we've missed but can't rush him back! Anyway no need to with leadbitter n garvan forming a good partnership with garvs latest break in the 1st team and is it me or is he playing far better alongside leadbitter? Seems more comfortable on the ball? COYB PLAYOFFS ERE WE COME
0

brockleyblueboy added 17:59 - Dec 16 I can't wait to have Norris back and with leadbitter we are really going to be a force HOWEVER It's amazing isn't it. Where are all the Keane haters and negative arseholes now. I don't want to be a git or anything, but I think fans are so fickle these days. Fans that have stuck by and day in day out have said "keep the faith", "It's only a mtter of time" etc etc should hold their heads high. Its so easy to moan and groan (uefa1981 you prick) when the chips are down but it takes a true fan to stand by their team and take the flak. Sorry about that but I just felt I had to get that off my chest. I am convinced we will have a great second half of the season.

0

Flip added 18:22 - Dec 16 Be like a new signing he's what we've missed but can't rush him back! Anyway no need to with leadbitter n garvan forming a good partnership with garvs latest break in the 1st team and is it me or is he playing far better alongside leadbitter? Seems more comfortable on the ball? COYB PLAYOFFS ERE WE COME
0

Suffolk_n_Good added 18:43 - Dec 16 I'm no Keane hater, & I don't know uefa1981 personally, but I can understand why some fans started to doubt Keane, (I have done myself) & question whether his time should be up, I mean we had gone 18 games without a win, & it was fair comment imo to question how much longer that situation could go on, However, brockleyblue you are correct, some people decided when Keane was appointed that he was going to fail & have never given him a chance, agreed he hasn't acheived anything yet, but the "shoots of recovery" are there for all to see. Now is truely the time for all of us to get behind Keane & the team, The team is starting to pick itself through individual player performances & that can only be good. We will all share different opinions on how to get there. We said at the start of the season with Keane at the helm, the waters wouldn't run smooth, & that has proven to be the case, but lets remember we all ultimately share the same hopes & dreams for this season & beyond.

0

moomoosereni added 18:53 - Dec 16 Huge news. Could be massive in our climb up the table. Looking forward to your return to action with the first team!
0

Churchmanschild added 19:00 - Dec 16 I totally agree with brockleyblueboy, it seems all the Keane critics have gone into hiding. Keane was always gradually building his team and I never doubted him for a second. anyone that has ever played the game knows you don't just put players together and it happens automatically. they need time to get to know each other on the field of play, we are still not quite there but It's improving all the time. defence looks solid for the first time in years. Keep it up boys.

0

xrayspecs added 19:04 - Dec 16 Healey was a punt to nothing - former International, still only 28 (ish), nominal transfer fee and would not command big wages. While it has not worked out for him, I can see the logic of giving him a contract.
0

Northstandboy added 19:26 - Dec 16 Just think what small difference would have made if he had of been fit last 10 games.....lets say…. 2 goals 1 assist .......at a guess….. that may have been two more win extra 4 points?......but we will never know! Having him back will be like a new 1.5M signing! Sounds like he is chomping at the bit to play ......I would play him for 60mins on 28th! Has UEFA 1981 gone home in his space ship……..or is he waiting for our next defeat on pounce to condom the team…… Please only reports and views from fan that go to games……..the rest are hot air! AS IF YOU DO NOT ATTEND GAMES YOU DO NOT SEE WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING, AS BETWEEN THE LINES IN NEWS PAPERS AND RADIO REPORTS YOUR NOT GETTING TO SEE OR FEEL THE REAL PICTURE, I REST MY CASE!.......

0

Dowson added 20:04 - Dec 16 good but my favorite midfeild is already made without him peters (edwards) - leadbitter - garvan - walters but good player to have in the team i suppose
0

Flip added 23:56 - Dec 16 It will be a very good dilemma for keane with no injuries id personally play edwards, norris, leadbitter, civelli with walters upfront....yes I know he's best on the right of midfield but who else is better in the air out of our strikers? And to be honest I hardly have ever seen him lose a battle in the air in this league and with the service of crossing from civelli from left and edwards on the right it will complement him Also not being negative or anything but I have a slight worrying thought that leadbitter and norris are too similar players look at lampard n gerrard for england...norris n leadbitter both want the ball, both attacking midfielders bursting into the box from midfield and whenever us as fans get excited about something it always seems 2 bite us right in the arse...just a thought though

0

bjc added 07:27 - Dec 17 we all wish roy was far off over here
0

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls