Norwich City’s new loan signing Leon Barnett admits it is great to feel wanted by the Canaries.

Barnett is vying for a start alongside his ex-Coventry team mate Elliott Ward in today’s tough Championship assignment at Nottingham Forest after agreeing a short-term move until January 4.

Paul Lambert enquired about Barnett last season before he moved to West Brom’s Midlands rivals and the pacy defender admitted that was a big factor in his latest career switch.

He said: “It’s good to have a manager that wants you and to hear that is great because I’m happy to be wanted. It was a pretty straightforward decision when I knew they’d wanted me in the summer.

“As far as I know there wasn’t any other clubs interested but when Norwich come in for you, they are a big club, and I spoke to lads who had been here before and they said it was a wonderful club to be at so I made my mind up straight away.

“I was at Coventry last season but I’ve played before at this level for West Brom and Luton and I know I can do well and hopefully I can give good performances for Norwich City. I did watch the first game this season and I didn’t think it was too bad. The first one is always a hard game, no matter what excuses you can use, and I felt they fought well and were a bit unlucky to come out losing 3-2.”

Barnett wants a new lease of footballing life in Norfolk after a frustrating stint at the Hawthorns since a �2.5m from Luton in 2007.

He said: “It has been hard. I’m not going to lie but football is never easy. When you go to a big club like West Brom there is always going to be good players in your position.

“I played well I thought the first two seasons I went there but I found it hard the third season and when they are bringing in players in your position you know it’s going to be tough. I just want to get my head down, get Nottingham Forest out of the way because that will be a tricky game, and then I hope I can start playing and relaxing more. The loan is until January so we’ll see what happens then.”