CITY striker Chris Martin is looking forward to the challenge as the Canaries return to training today after their summer break.

Speaking at the Club's annual appearance at the Royal Norfolk Show, Martin is expecting some tough work ahead to help prepare for the all-important start to the npower Championship 2010-11 season on Friday, August 6.

"I'm a little bit apprehensive I suppose because you know how hard it's going to be. But no, everyone is looking forward to getting back into the swing of things. We know it's going to be very hard work, especially for the first few weeks of pre-season, but we're all used to that by now and we're looking forward to it."

In the seven weeks since City celebrated their League One title victory, five new faces have joined the Canary fold, something that Martin welcomes. 

"I think they're very positive," he said. "I think we've signed some good lads, some talented boys with good experience and hopefully they'll come together and we'll gel together as a squad and push on this year." 

Speculation has continued over the summer that Manager Paul Lambert would be looking to bolster his forward line that helped net over 50 goals last season. Martin commented: "I'd welcome any signings. As I've said before it's good to have healthy competition and if the gaffer wants to bring in another forward that's up to him.

"But competition is always welcome and it keeps you on your toes and it definitely pushes you to play better and to perform better knowing there are people behind you fighting for a place, or if it's you fighting for a place, knowing you can get into the team."

STRIKER!: One of Martin's 23 goals was that all-important
late winner against promotion rivals Leeds United

Martin was second in City's goalscoring table last season, netting 23 times, compared to his skipper and top-marksman Grant Holt's 30 goals. But this time round the 21-year-old is expecting a tougher experience as the Club steps up a division: "It's going to be a lot harder I think  this year," he said. "The Championship is a very competitive league with a lot of big teams in there and a lot of teams who think they should possibly be in a league higher, in the Premier League.

"They've got that bigger fanbase and bigger names - so we know how tough it's going to be and we're just going to work hard and see where it takes us." 

He continued: "I think it's an exciting challenge for everybody. There's obviously people who have played in the Championship a bit more than others in the squad, so they've got the vital experience that's needed. But there are also people who are hungry for that experience as well, and they've come from difference leagues and have got varying experiences at those levels and are hungry to prove themselves at this Championship level and hopefully we can do that this season."

And although a great season was had by all, including himself last campaign, Martin is now focusing on what needs to be done as pre-season preparations start for 2010-11: "I think everyone has to prove themselves from season to season, you can't just sit back on your laurels as they say and take last season for granted, you have to push on and work hard and I think that's what everyone in the squad knows what they've got to do this year.

"Everyone has to prove themselves to the manager to get into the team first and foremost and then prove themselves on the big stage when we're playing the games. We'll wait and see how it goes but everyone is looking forward to the challenge."

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