Just 1,200 of Norwich City's new away shirts will be available for fans to buy before the Southampton game - but Carrow Road bosses today insisted there was no repeat of last season's logo trouble which meant supporters had to wait months for their shirts.

Just 1,200 of Norwich City's new away shirts will be available for fans to buy before the Southampton game - but Carrow Road bosses today insisted there was no repeat of last season's logo trouble which meant supporters had to wait months for their shirts.

Last year, fans were left bemused when they were not able to get their hands on the new Canary kit until July, when many rival fans were sporting their kits by the end of the season.

It emerged the reason for the delay then was because the Flybe logo in the middle of the shirt was what is known as a flock weld design.

This gives the logo a raised pattern on the shirt a greater quality and does not fade like screen printed designs - but the club had to wait because only a company in Ireland could do the work.

But after a launch this afternoon, just over a thousand loyal fans will be able to sport the new away kit at Saturday's final home clash of the season against Southampton.

Will Hoy, Norwich City FC brand marketing manager, said: “We will have 1,200 away shirts on sale, which was the amount we had ordered for delivery. It was always intended that we would get further kit deliveries next month.”

The kit has once again been produced by shirt manufacturer Xara, which also produced the current kit worn by the Canaries. Once again Flybe are sponsoring the kit.

First team players were today expected to model the new kit, with about 25,000 replica kits bought by city fans every season. The kit will be on sale to current season ticket holders from 9am on Saturday until kick-off at 3pm. Any remaining kits will go on general sale after the game.

Even after the campaign had kicked off away at Leeds this season fans were still not able to get hold of home kits until September.

The Norwich City Independent Supporters' Association said that delay cost the club vital cash because they had missed their chance to cash in on the usual pre-season optimism.

t Don't miss Saturday's Evening News and the Pink 'Un for your chance to win two of the new shirts.