MIDFIELDER Damon Lathrope takes to the field as a fully-fledged professional for the first time tonight as City's reserves travel to Grays Athletic.

Lathrope, 18 (pictured), signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Canaries last week, and is named in Norwich's midfield as reserve boss and first team coach Paul Stephenson hunts the second string's first win of the year.

Fellow professionals Steven Arnold, Michael Spillane, Andrew Cave-Brown, Simon Lappin, Rossi Jarvis, Robert Eagle, Chris Martin and Ryan Jarvis are named in a strong-looking side, with Academy starlet Tom Miller also featuring in defence.

Tonight's game is the second attempt to play the away fixture following the match's postponement a fortnight ago due to a waterlogged pitch.

City currently lie in second spot in the Pontins Holiday Combination East, nine points behind Ipswich despite playing three games more. Grays are seventh in the 10-strong division.