AFTER two frustrating seasons blighted by injury, City defender Adam Drury is working hard ahead of next month's return to pre-season training.

Currently the Club's longest-serving player, Adam suffered knee ligament damage at home to Bristol City in October 2007 and has suffered injury setbacks since then.

Just a matter of days after the end of last season's Championship campaign, Adam went under the surgeon's knife in a bid to finally end his on-going problems. The operation was successful and Adam is all set to report back to Colney for pre-season training on July 1.

The tough tackling and experienced left-back is now ready to get down to work with his team-mates and add to his tally of 282 Norwich City appearances.

"When I originally had the operation and came back from that I then pulled my hamstring and since then I've had a lot of problems with bits and pieces in my knee," Adam explained to First News.

"A couple of months ago I had a clear-out operation and they found a couple of bits that they managed to tidy-up and sort out.

"It is feeling really good now. Hopefully, fingers crossed, that's the end of the problems because the last two years have been an absolute nightmare to be honest."

The summer months have seen Adam working in the gym at Colney on an extensive rehabilitation programme as he bids to play a major role in City's forthcoming Coca-Cola League One campaign.

"I have been doing a lot of strength work. I'm not right-footed and it's been my right knee so I have had to do a lot of extra work to build up the muscle in my right leg. Generally I have had to get it moving again and have been getting used to bending it and using it again."

After working hard with physiotherapists and medical team, Adam is convinced his summer's work has paid off.

"I'm on course to join back in on the first day and do what everybody else is doing. I just want to be back and be a part of it again. I need to get a proper pre-season under my belt."

While Adam has been working away on his rehab, City boss Bryan Gunn has been busy recruiting new faces to the City squad. The first summer signing was former Exeter City midfielder Matt Gill - a player Adam played alongside at Peterborough United. Adam was full of praise for his former London Road team-mate.

"It was a few years ago now that I played with Gilly but from what I can remember back then he was not afraid to get stuck in. He also likes to get on the ball and make teams play - I'm sure he'll be a great addition for us.

"He a local lad and really happy to be coming here - I'm sure he'll soon settle in."

Gill's knowledge of the lower leagues are certain to benefit the City squad over the coming months - a point Adam was swift to acknowledge.

"He knows what the lower leagues are all about - as do a few of the lads we've got that have played lower league football.

"We all know it is going to be tough and not easy for us but we've just got to get on with it."

With the fixture list being published earlier this week and fans now busy mapping out their various trips around the country, Adam was more than happy with the season's Carrow Road opener against Colchester United.

"It's a great first fixture but whoever we were playing we want to get off to a good start.

"To be at home is ideal because we need to sort out our home form. It has been a big problem in the last couple of years but if we can sort that out hopefully it will lead to better things."