Matthew Chambers Adam Drury is desperate not to put a foot wrong in training this week as he looks to cement a place in Saturday's line-up to face Stockport County and by so doing notch up his 300th appearance in yellow and green. The 31-year-old has been an ever-present for the Canaries in the league this season - a stark contrast to the previous two campaigns which have seen Drury's involvement severely limited by a recurring knee problem.

Matthew Chambers

Adam Drury is desperate not to put a foot wrong in training this week as he looks to cement a place in Saturday's line-up to face Stockport County and by so doing notch up his 300th appearance in yellow and green.

The 31-year-old has been an ever-present for the Canaries in the league this season - a stark contrast to the previous two campaigns which have seen Drury's involvement severely limited by a recurring knee problem.

But having had an operation in May this year and at last being able to get a series of games under his belt, Drury looks to have put his injury misery firmly behind him.

“I knew I'd obviously played a few games and it's great to hear. I've just got to make sure that I'm in the team for the weekend now that I've found that stat out,” said Drury, now in his ninth season at Carrow Road.

Drury says he never considered quitting despite several failed comebacks and his determination has been rewarded by becoming a mainstay in City manager Paul Lambert's defence.

“The big thing has been having a run of games. I have had problems with my knee over the last two seasons and never got a run of games and there was no reserve team football to play in to get match fitness. So you come out of the training and play a game and it would cause me problems again. Thankfully I got a proper pre-season in and I've had been fortunate to be picked and get a run of games.

“There were massive low points when you think 'oh I'm back to full fitness' and then you play a game or you train and then you start to feel your knee again and you think to yourself 'why does this keep happening', but there was never any point when I thought I wouldn't play again.

“People obviously did say or think that when I kept breaking down but the thought never crossed my mind. I did all the rehab properly and I've got the strength back now too in my right leg - not that I use it much though.”

Drury, who was captain when City marched to the Nationwide League title in 2003/4, added: “I've enjoyed all my time at Norwich. When you've been at a club as long as I have at Norwich then you are going to have downs, but that's part of football. But I've thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it.

“Winning it (championship title) is the highlight of anyone's career and to win anything gives you a big high and to have been captain is a massive thing. The lads do give me a bit of stick and say that I talk about it all of the time.

“I have had chances since I've been at this club when I could have if I wanted to perhaps have got a move, but it's never really been one of those things. I've thoroughly enjoyed my time here and hopefully there's a little bit more time left,” added Drury, whose current contract runs out in 2011.

Looking ahead to Saturday and the clash against League One strugglers Stockport at Edgeley Park, Drury said the Canaries would be going all out for the win as they look to continue their climb up the league table in a bid for promotion.

“That's the main aim this season,” said Drury. “We have given ourselves a great chance now with the form we're in but it's early days and we have got to carry on and see where we are after Christmas and kick on from there.

“Like the manager always says the onus is on us. We like to try and win games and he wants to win every game we go into and it will be no different this Saturday. We'll play our game how we want to play and hopefully do enough to get the three points. Away points are going to be massive for us if we want to do anything in this league we have got to pick up points away from home. For the past few seasons our away form hasn't been great so we have got to make sure our away form is good to get out of this league.”

Meanwhile, Drury did reveal he had failed an audition to join Darel Russell's backing singers for a sketch that was aired on SoccerAM in support of his sister's participation on X-Factor.

However, Drury did admit it's that kind of team bonding that has helped ensure the players are on song and propel them up the table to fifth.

“I think the team spirit we've got now has been a big thing and the way that the manager's got us playing. Everyone knows his job and he (Paul Lambert) tells us exactly what he wants and no one wants to let him down, simple as that.

“If you don't do what he says then you won't play which is the way it should be. Once you start winning a few games then confidence breeds and that's what's happened and we've kept it going.

“When you are enjoying it you tend to play well and I think that is what everyone is doing and hopefully that continues.”