Michael Bailey Winger Robert Eagle is still hopeful of earning himself a new contract at Carrow Road, despite a lack of opportunities since the arrival of manager Glenn Roeder.

Michael Bailey

Winger Robert Eagle is still hopeful of earning himself a new contract at Carrow Road, despite a lack of opportunities since the arrival of manager Glenn Roeder.

The 21-year-old left footer's first professional contract comes to an end in the summer and with the club holding the option of signing the player for a further year, Eagle is determined to prove his worth to Roeder - just as he felt when the Norwich manager first arrived.

“There have been a few options, where I could've gone,” said the City academy product. “I could have gone somewhere before the manager came, but he was then coming in so I wanted to try and make an impression on him.

“I haven't really been in the team, so I'm just trying to work hard in training and trying to get my chance in, maybe, the last couple of games before the end of the season.

“I've spoken to him [Roeder] and he says I've just got to keep working hard and I'll get my chance. My contract is coming up at the end of the season, but I want to play for Norwich City so I'm just trying to work hard and earn my contract.”

Nigel Worthington gave Eagle his debut, in the 4-2 Carling Cup win at Rotherham United last season, and Peter Grant saw enough to give the winger 11 appearances during his tenure.

But he is yet to make a first team appearance this season, under either Grant or Roeder, and he does not believe his cause, or that of the other fringe players at Carrow Road is helped by the Canaries sporadic reserve programme.

“It's quite frustrating because you want to be playing games week in, week out,” he added. “With the reserves, you play week in, week out for three weeks and then you don't get a game for another six weeks or three months.

“You just want to be playing games and to go on loan, if there's a possibility, then I would want to go just to play football. Maybe I'll wait until next season, if I get signed, and go on loan somewhere.”

The former Ipswich Town trainee, who was born in Leiston, admitted he may have to look for a new club in the summer if the club decides against extending his deal, but Eagle is determined to do all he can before the season ends.

“I'll be looking to get any club I can, maybe abroad, a couple of leagues down, anywhere. But at the moment I'm just trying to work hard in training and earn myself a contract here.”

Eagle will be hoping to make an impression for the reserves as they travel to take on Stevenage Borough tomorrow night (7pm).

First team coach Paul Stephenson has named a youthful squad as his side aims to maintain their current four-game unbeaten run.

“It'll be a young side again,” said Stephenson. “There are going to be five academy players from the start and there will be a few getting on as well.

“I want to give them these lads a fair crack of the whip and in their proper positions. It is our chance to have a good look at them and develop them a bit further.”

Norwich City Reserves: from Matthew Gilks, Steven Arnold, Michael Spillane, Tom Miller, Andrew Cave-Brown, Rossi Jarvis, Bally Smart, Robert Eagle, Chris Martin, Mark O'Toole, Ross Kelly, Damon Lathrope, Luke Daley, Paul McLean, Jordan Yong, Korey Smith.