DAVID CUFFLEY Nigel Worthington has admitted that his side could not afford another false start to the season with the Coca-Cola Championship campaign kicking off at Leeds United on Saturday.

DAVID CUFFLEY

City boss Nigel Worthington today admitted that his side could not afford another false start to the season with the Coca-Cola Championship campaign kicking off at Leeds United on Saturday.

“It always important to get off to a good start so that you are not immediately playing catch-up,” said Worthington.

“Last year I think we had three home games at the start of the season where people were expecting nine points out of nine or seven points out of nine and we finished up with three points which was disappointing straightaway. That doesn't help the situation.

“We have got Leeds away, Preston at home and Luton at home - all games where we are capable of getting points. They're hard games but that's the way it is in this league.”

Worthington said he had yet to decide whether £600,000 signing Lee Croft, from Manchester City, would be in his starting line-up at Elland Road.

“Manchester City were a couple of weeks behind us as far as starting back with their training and Lee has got reasonable levels.

“It's one of those things that I will have to decide over the next 48 hours or so.

“We're fairly happy with what he's done so far but there's is a bit more work we would like to get into him.”

Midfielder Andy Hughes is definitely ruled out of the Leeds trip after missing two of the last three pre-season matches with a groin strain. Defender Rossi Jarvis, who has a thigh strain, is still under treatment.

Worthington, still searching for a big striker and extra cover in the left back position, said it was highly unlikely he would be able to bring in any more new faces before the weekend.

As to reports that ex-Canary Chris Sutton was possibly lined up to join Ipswich, Worthington said: “That is other people's business. What other clubs and players do is up to them, I'm only concerned with trying to bring people in to Norwich City.”