New vice-captain Michael Nelson believes the new-look Norwich City squad is starting to gel as the start of their League One campaign closes in. Canaries boss Bryan Gunn has just three pre-season friendlies to complete his plans ahead of City's opening League One fixture at home to Colchester United in less than two weeks' time.

New vice-captain Michael Nelson believes the new-look Norwich City squad is starting to gel as the start of their League One campaign closes in.

Canaries boss Bryan Gunn has just three pre-season friendlies to complete his plans ahead of City's opening League One fixture at home to Colchester United in less than two weeks' time. The Canaries travel to Crystal Palace tomorrow before the visit of Premier League Wigan to Carrow Road four days later, with a City XI appearing at Ridgeons First Division side Thetford Town on Wednesday.

Centre-back Nelson, 27, said: "Obviously I'm not sure the manager's finished finalising his squad, or if he knows what his starting 11 is going to be come the first game, but I'm sure the next two games will give people the chance to get used to playing alongside each other and hopefully we can get a team down which is going to cope very well in League One."

The defender, who joined on a two-year deal after turning down a new contract at Hartlepool United, made his first appearance at Carrow Road as a half-time substitute in the Canaries' draw with a Manchester United XI on Saturday.

And after the game, Gunn confirmed Nelson and Matty Gill will be "able deputies" to Gary Doherty as captain this season.

"When you come into a new club you just want to get your head down and get on with it, and hopefully get on with the lads as soon as you can," said Nelson.

"It's nice that the gaffer, in the short space of time I've been here, has got enough confidence in me to make me vice-captain. I'm very honoured to have that and hopefully we can all do well. I've captained both my previous clubs, Bury and Hartlepool, so it's something I'm quite used too and it definitely won't have a negative effect on me if I was to lead the team out."