DAVID CUFFLEY City defender Jürgen Colin has set himself a new target - to become the best right-back in the Coca-Cola Championship. The 25-year-old Dutchman's improved form for the Canaries this season has earned him a place in the starting line-up for all seven league matches so far.

DAVID CUFFLEY

City defender Jürgen Colin has set himself a new target - to become the best right-back in the Coca-Cola Championship.

The 25-year-old Dutchman's improved form for the Canaries this season has earned him a place in the starting line-up for all seven league matches so far.

And, preparing for tomorrow's visit of Crystal Palace - the club against whom he made his first-team debut for City last season - Colin spoke of his growing confidence and his determination to hang on to his place.

“I'm happy with my own game. It's OK but it can always be better and I want to be the best right-back in this league if that's possible, so I have to work hard and keep going,” he said.

He said he had been urged to add a more attacking element to his game and his growing understanding with right-winger Lee Croft had helped him achieve it.

He said: “That's what the gaffer wants and if I'm not doing it, I'm not going to be playing and I want to play. It was a little bit difficult for me because this game is hard, you know, you have to get used to teams and the way they play.

“The first time Lee came into the team, we worked well together. Normally you have to know the player first and what his strengths are, but we did it straightaway and I hope we can keep that going.”

Colin said he had already put the disappointment of Tuesday's 3-3 draw at Southend behind him and was looking forward to the game against Palace at Carrow Road (3pm).

He said: “I really don't want to think about that game and the way we gave away the points because it's already gone. We have to keep going and looking forward. When we play at home we're always confident. One thing we have to do is stick together and fight against Crystal Palace. It's going to be a hard game but we have to beat them.”

Manager Nigel Worthington, still without Darren Huckerby because of a groin injury, must wait before finalising his line-up.

Croft has a “tight calf” but should play, while midfielder Carl Robinson is expected to be fit after missing the Southend game with a stomach upset, so will compete with Andy Hughes for a place in midfield.

Striker Peter Thorne, out of action since the opening day of the season at Leeds, has been training since Monday but it is probably too soon for him to figure.

Worthington said he wanted to stem the flow of goals conceded as his players prepare for what he described as “always a good ding-dong” against Palace.

He said: “We conceded six goals in the last two games. We've got to tighten up there as a team. I think we're leading goalscorers in the league, which is great, but we've conceded six in two games, which is poor by anyone's standards.

“There were so many positives from the other night, but we went and blighted the whole evening through 20 minutes of irresponsible football, which cost us two points we had in the bag. But we've done it ourselves to Luton, and Cardiff were 3-0 up the other night and drew 3-3. It happens, but you certainly don't want it to happen too often, if at all. That was the galling thing, that it happened.”

Palace defender Darren Ward could return to the side after illness in midweek, but midfielder Tom Soares faces a long spell on the sidelines with the serious ankle injury he suffered in Tuesday's 2-0 home defeat by Southampton.

Former Millwall centre-half Ward, who celebrated his 28th birthday on Wednesday, has yet to make a Championship appearance this season, but after successive defeats against Luton and Southampton, Palace boss Peter Taylor admits he is considering changes.

“We hope Darren is available for Saturday,” said Taylor. “He's always been a player who has been in my plans but in the end, Mark Hudson got the vote before him at the start of the matches.”