CANARIES' Assistant Manager Ian Butterworth was quick to echo manager Bryan Gunn's delight at the fixture computer handing City a home start on August 8.

The Canaries will begin their Coca-Cola League One campaign at Carrow Road with a meeting with East Anglian rivals Colchester United. Under the management of Paul Lambert and former Canary Ian Culverhouse the U's finished last season in 12th place in League One.

"We're glad to get a home game against Colchester," confirmed Butterworth.

"It's probably the nearest thing we are going to get to a derby game so we are all going to be looking forward to that.

"We've got to start positively and hit the ground running, we've got to put on a good show in front of our own fans - it is as simple as that.

"Let's hope we can get off to a flyer against Colchester and build it from there," added Butterworth.

With the new season's fixtures out, the countdown to kick-off is very much underway and City's bid to build a new-look squad ready for action on August 8 is gathering pace.

Butterworth was keen to add his seal of approval to yesterday's acquisition of midfielder Owain Tudur Jones from Swansea City and hinted that more new faces could well be on their way soon.

"We're pleased to have Owain on board. He's a player who I knew a bit about when I was at Cardiff having seen him play against Cardiff and Hartlepool too.

"We feel he will be a useful addition to the squad. He can play in central midfield which is where he has played most of his career. Has played at the back but sees himself as a central midfielder - which is where we see him as well."

The City squad are due to report back for pre-season training on July 1 and Butterworth added it was a case of 'all systems go' in trying to bring in more new faces before the team report back to Colney.

"We're looking to try and strengthen the squad. There are things happening right now so let's hope there are one or two more signing by the end of the week."

The new League One fixture list has certainly handed City an exciting and challenging season and Butterworth confirmed he was looking forward to the campaign ahead.

"This is a challenge. We needed to get back into the Championship as quickly as possible. We need to build a squad that is competitive and will put the smiles back on Norwich supporters' faces."