ROBBIE Brady and Russell Martin stepped up their respective returns to fitness as a Norwich City XI won 3-0 against Colchester United at Colney Training Centre on Monday.

The duo each completed just over an hour as an experienced Canaries side eased to victory, with Sergi Canos netting in the first half before substitute Tony Andreu added a brace in the second period.

City's starting XI was almost exclusively filled by senior professionals, in order to maximise the minutes afforded to members of the Club's squad.

Largely dominating possession from the off, the home side went in front through their first meaningful opportunity with 11 minutes on the clock.

Collecting a diagonal pass from Kyle Lafferty, Canos exchanged passes with Josh Murphy before curling beyond the United goalkeeper from outside the box.

They threatened to extend their lead before the interval; Murphy twice being denied by smart saves while also striking the base of the post having been picked out by Lafferty.

Andreu was introduced on 55 minutes, and shortly afterwards made it 2-0 by reacting quickest to roll home after Canos' blocked shot from Ben Godfrey's cross fell kindly into his path.

City threatened a third following an energetic burst from midfield by Louis Thompson with a dozen minutes remaining, only for the lively Carlton Morris to be flagged offside.

However, Andreu was on hand to complete the scoring four minutes from time when he collected Canos' dinked pass and slipped the ball calmly into the net.

CITY XI: McGovern; Godfrey, Martin (c) (Turner, 63), Bassong, Brady (Toffolo, 63); Canos, Mulumbu, Thompson, Josh Murphy (Andreu, 55); Maddison; Lafferty (Morris, 63). Subs not used: Jones (GK), Cantwell.

CITY XI GOALS: Canos (11), Andreu (62, 86)

CITY XI DEFEAT COLCHESTER

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