RYAN Bertrand has said the fitness work he's put in over the summer months is helping him overcome his ankle injury.

Bertrand, on loan from Chelsea, picked up the knock during City's pre-season game against Tottenham at Carrow Road.

"My ankle's fine, it's getting better," he said. "There's still obviously a bit of pain but it's not enough to stop me from playing so I'm working as hard as I can.

"It's good to be back, not playing has been frustrating and being out injured and seeing all the boys out playing especially at the start of the season, I've just got to try and get my fitness back up.

"I've tried to bulk up over the summer. I'm feeling much stronger, I've been working with the backroom staff and in the gym so hopefully I should continue to keep getting stronger. It's really positive, the organisation here is really good on and off the field. We've got Alan (Pearson) working on individual programmes so we can all get stronger and be more powerful over the other teams."

Returning to Norwich for another loan spell after spending the second half of last season here, the 19-year-old joins a much different team to last year's. On the new-look Canary squad, Bertrand commented: "That's what's I was really excited about coming back here with the new players that Glenn has brought in. No disrespect to last year's team but I think as a whole this team is really strong.

"We've got two or three players in every position so it's got to be good for the team. It's not like we're not making the chances but it comes down to putting them in the back of the net and all the boys are flying in training, it's just a matter of time before they get a couple each. Fitness is obviously important in any sport but I think the main thing is that we keep that tempo and progress through the 90 minutes."

As the team prepare to travel to Ninian Park, the youngster says he is very much looking forward to playing against Cardiff: "I'm looking forward to going back there and hopefully getting three points, and to get off to a good start.

"I think we have to make Carrow Road a force and get teams worrying when they come down here and make sure we get our wins there. We're looking to improve the away games and hopefully we can improve our performances there as well. "

Asked whether he would like his loan contract to be extended to a full season, he commented: "I guess that's at the back of my mind until January and at this moment in time I would have no hesitations in staying here for the rest of the season."

With news this week  that John Terry would continue his captaincy of the England squad, Bertrand was asked for his thoughts on his Chelsea team-mate's success. "It's brilliant to see JT regain his captaincy, he's a born leader and that's one of the main things. He's obviously got experience and he's a really good bloke on and off the pitch.

"He's really professional in the way that he plays and he's one of the best defenders in the world as you can see over the years. Off the pitch as well he's a really nice guy and really approachable and he'll help you with any part of your game."