NORWICH City need to be up for the fight if they’re to push for an immediate return to the Premier League next year, says Elliott Bennett.

The midfielder came on as a second half substitute against Arsenal on Sunday to finally make his first-team return from the knee injury that had side-lined him since the opening day of the season.

“I think it will be a big summer for the football club, and as long as everyone who is here in pre-season is ready to roll their sleeves up then we can do what we’ve got to do,” he told Norwich City TV after the final whistle.

“We all know it’s not been good enough this season. We’ve got to go away and have a good look at ourselves, and make sure we come back and ready to get this club back to the Premier League.

“The table doesn’t lie and there are a lot of disappointed lads in there. That’s one thing you can’t say about the boys – we always dig-in and we try our best, but it’s not been good enough.”

Hopes of ending the campaign with a positive result didn’t come to fruition as the Gunners ran out comfortable 2-0 winners at Carrow Road, but Bennett almost netted a consolation goal late on, unfortunately pushing his shot too close to Lukasz Fabianski.

“That (to score) would have been very, very nice, but it wasn’t to be, and at times like this you put your personal things to one side. I’m just glad I got back out there and proved that I’m back fit,” he added.

“I’ve said it before many times, I owe a lot to the medical team at this football club. They’ve got me back and I’m happy that I’ve managed to get a game in before the end of the season.

“I’m going to have a good summer, try and get my head down, work hard and keep myself fit, and hopefully come back and be raring to go.”

BENNETT ON NEXT YEAR AND HIS RETURN

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