CITY striker Chris Martin could be on the verge of a first team recall following his hat-trick for the reserves in midweek.

Martin's three goals against Luton's second string on Tuesday came on the back of a brace against Grays Athletic reserves the previous week, making it five in the space of seven days.

And with Jamie Cureton now facing weeks on the sidelines after undergoing an operation to remove his appendix over the weekend, the 19-year-old's return to form is a timely one.

Martin's last appearance for the first team came in the 1-1 FA Cup draw with Bury at Carrow Road early last month. His display was not helped by a glaring miss inside the first few seconds of the game, with Martin heading wide from little more than three yards out.

That miss summed-up the game for Norwich that afternoon, with Bury progressing to the fourth round thanks to a 2-1 replay win. Martin has not featured since that first game against the League Two strugglers, but with boss Glenn Roeder's striking options beginning to look sparse, the Academy product may now find himself back in the frame.

"Possibly, I don't know," was Martin's reply when asked if he thought his three goals in the 5-0 rout at Kenilworth Road had moved him closer to a first team return. "We'll have to wait and see what the gaffer's selection is. All I can do is keep scoring in the reserves and see what team he picks."

With the window for further loan acquisitions not re-opening until Friday, Roeder's only fit out-and-out strikers are veteran Dion Dublin and on-loan teenager Ched Evans.

Darren Huckerby has played through the middle during his career, but traditionally operates as a wide player, while Ryan Jarvis was sent on loan to Notts County last week. Meanwhile Academy starlet Kris Renton, who became Norwich's youngest ever player last season, is still recovering from a broken leg sustained in a youth team game in October.

Roeder admitted his failure to land a striker during the January transfer window was his only regret of last month's business, and hinted he would again be dipping into the loan market soon as he searches for another front-man to keep Norwich's recent resurgence on track.

But, in the meantime at least, Roeder may now turn to Martin in the hope the youngster can recapture some of the form which saw him earn a professional contract after breaking into the first team at the tail-end of last season.

Reserve team boss Paul Stephenson seems certain to put in a good word for the striker after watching his display at Luton, but warned more still would be expected of his all-round game if he was to be considered for Championship football on a regular basis.

"I'll be telling Glenn about his performance, because it's not just his goals, it's his all-round performance as well," Stephenson told CanariesWorld. "Obviously when he's playing at Championship level it's a really different test, you have to be a bit sharper. But I have to say he wasn't quite at it, and he scored two goals at Grays. But he was at it a bit more today. That was much more like it. He was clinical with his finishing, which was pleasing, and his work rate went up a bit. We still need more in terms of that, but if he can keep scoring goals and taking chances like he did today he's going to put himself in the picture."

And Martin himself was happy to be hitting the net again.

"I'm quite pleased with my hat-trick and I got a couple at Grays last week," he said, quick to pay tribute to the contribution of his team mates. "I'm thankful for some of the assists I got today, because there were some great balls in and I was just happy to get on the scoresheet again."

Stephenson was also pleased with the result, which comes just one week after the 7-1 win at Grays.

"I'm really happy with today, because they had six or seven first teamers in their team and the lads really dug in, and they had to at times in the first half. They had a lot of possession and pressure around the box. But we dug in, created two or three chances first half and Chris was very clinical.

"The first goal was a very good cross and run from Robert which was finished with one touch with his head. The second one, again, Robert was very instrumental. He slid him in and produced a finish into the bottom left corner.

"Second half we took our chances. We didn't have many, but we were very clinical and they missed theirs."

He also had some words of praise for goalkeeper Matthew Gilks. The former Rochdale man was making his first appearance since recovering from the ankle ligament injury which put him out of action for three months.

And the City 'keeper celebrated his return to action with a first half penalty save to keep out Dean Morgan's well-hit spot kick.

"Obviously a major factor was that Matthew Gilks in his first game back made a great save at 1-0 from a penalty. It was a really good save as well, because the lad has struck it really well.

"He was ideal for a young back four, because he made sure they all squeezed up and that they blocked things for him. He got them into some good positions and he really dictated to them, which was pleasing. I'm delighted for him that he got a clean sheet because he deserves that."