David Cuffley Former Norwich City winger Neil Adams today spoke of his delight at his return to the club's coaching set-up. The Evening News columnist was controversially axed from Colney as part of a backroom reshuffle at the end of last season after manager Glenn Roeder appeared to take exception to comments he made regarding team selection.

David Cuffley

Former Norwich City winger Neil Adams today spoke of his delight at his return to the club's coaching set-up.

The Evening News columnist was controversially axed from Colney as part of a backroom reshuffle at the end of last season after manager Glenn Roeder appeared to take exception to comments he made regarding team selection.

But he has now agreed to rejoin the Academy in his previous role as under-14s coach with immediate effect.

Said Adams: “Glenn Roeder called me before the Plymouth game and asked me if I'd consider returning to coach at the academy, and after a meeting with him yesterday I'm happy to say that I have accepted his offer.”

As well as writing for the Evening News and Pink 'Un, Adams is co-commentator on City matches for BBC Radio Norfolk, and will continue to perform both roles.

“Nothing has changed at all regarding my media commitments, but I'm pleased that I can also now continue to help develop the next generation of Norwich City players,” he said.

Roeder said he was pleased the 42-year-old Adams was returning to Colney after his previous seven-year stint working with City's young talent ended abruptly in May.

“I'm really pleased to have Neil Adams back on board,” said Roeder. “He's an excellent coach and is well respected in the game.

“It was unfortunate that due to restructuring of the academy, we had to release Neil at the end of last season.

“However we have now re-jigged the structure to give Neil the chance to come back on board. I'm delighted that Neil has accepted our offer.”

Adams' headline departure four months ago was officially down to reorganisation - but it was widely linked to his work as media pundit after Roeder reacted angrily to his comments on Darren Huckerby's absence from the starting line-up during the second half of City's disappointing Championship campaign.

Adams' exit followed at the end of the season and he said at the time: “I've been in the game long enough to realise that changes are part and parcel of football, The manager has every right to bring in whoever he wants to the club. That's how it works and I've got no problem with that at all but what I am unhappy with is the way that it has been handled and the reasons I have been given as to why.”

The former Everton and Oldham winger made 206 appearances for the Canaries between 1994 and 1999, scoring 30 goals.