Winger: It's great to be back

JOSH Murphy says Norwich City are ‘raring to go’ ahead of kicking off their pre-season schedule with Saturday’s friendly at Gorleston (3pm).

The Canaries will play the first of seven planned warm up matches at Emerald Park, seven weeks on from earning promotion to the Premier League against Middlesbrough at Wembley.

Murphy – who spent the final part of last year on loan at Wigan Athletic – spoke exclusively to canaries.co.uk after returning from the squad’s five-day stint at St George’s Park.

“Time has flown by, everyone has said that. It’s great to be back with the boys, and the team spirit is already there again. Everyone’s happy to be back,” he said.

“The boys have come back super-fit – it’s probably the fittest bunch of lads I’ve seen for pre-season.

“We’re all raring to go back in the Premier League and all the hard work starts now. If we get a good pre-season under our belts, then we can kick on from there.”

Murphy made 16 appearances for City in 2014-15, scoring his first league goal for the Club against Blackpool in September.

The 2013 FA Youth Cup-winner is hoping to make an impression in the month leading up to the Canaries’ top flight opener against Crystal Palace on August 8.

“It’s a level playing field for all the players. If you’re doing well, I think you’ve got a chance of playing,” added the 20-year-old.

“I want to play and show everyone what I can do, and hopefully it’s a matter of time before I can reach my potential.”