Midfielder Sammy Clingan is not prepared to let a few aches and pains interrupt his return to first team action as Norwich City prepare for a spell of five games in 15 days.

Midfielder Sammy Clingan is not prepared to let a few aches and pains interrupt his return to first team action as Norwich City prepare for a spell of five games in 15 days.

The Northern Ireland international was back in the Canaries' side in the 2-1 Championship home defeat by Derby after missing five games with a shoulder injury.

Despite needing a pain-killing injection at half-time, 24-year-old Clingan completed 90 minutes against the Rams, although he had to withdraw from international duty afterwards.

He said: “It's still a bit sore and tender and achy, but that's to be expected. I'm just looking forward to getting really fit again and getting back in there.

“I felt when I played on Saturday I was 100 per cent match fit, but the physio told me I'm going to catch it a few times and it will be sore, but I've just got to take that pain and bear it.”

Clingan was speaking at the launch of City's special edition 1959 FA cup shirt, which he and his team-mates will wear in this season's third round tie. But for the injury, he would have been with Nigel Worthington's squad, preparing for World Cup qualifying matches against Slovenia and San Marino.

He said: “I felt I was going to meet up, but I got injured in the game on Saturday after 25 minutes and I thought I'll give it to half-time. At half-time I got a painkilling injection which started to wear off about 10 minutes from the end, so I knew I wasn't going to be fit for Northern Ireland.

“I went down and spoke to the manager and we both agreed it would be better for me to get myself fit and ready for club duty rather than international duty, but there's always time to come to get more international caps under my belt.

“If I had gone, I would have been letting myself down and I would have been letting the team down because I wouldn't have been 100 per cent fit and you can't really carry any passengers when you're playing on international duty and at Championship level.

“I always give my all for Northern Ireland and Norwich and I think that's all you can do.

“I have a good relationship with Nigel Worthington. I have really taken to what he's had to say since he's joined Northern Ireland and it would be good if the lads get two good results in these next two qualifiers.”

However, Clingan, who scored his first goal for City from the penalty spot against Derby, is confident his shoulder will stand up to their hectic October schedule.

He said: “We have a two-week break now and I hope the lads will get re-focused on the task ahead against Bristol City and they will be looking forward to it. We were bitterly disappointed after the Derby game but we've got to put that to the back of our minds now and look forward.

“I think we're putting in some good performances but I think it's the crucial thing when you get in front of goal you need to put your chances away.

“It is good to get these games Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday because as a player you want to play as much as you can and I'm no different. I'll be looking forward to those games and I hope we'll get the results we need.”