DAVID CUFFLEY King's Lynn 0, Norwich City 4: Mark Fotheringham has been urged to grab his chance of a regular place in Norwich City's midfield - after impressing manager Peter Grant in the pre-season victory at King's Lynn.

DAVID CUFFLEY

King's Lynn 0, Norwich City 4

Mark Fotheringham has been urged to grab his chance of a regular place in Norwich City's midfield - after impressing manager Peter Grant in the pre-season victory at King's Lynn.

The 23-year-old Scot missed the Canaries' first two warm-up matches against Exeter and Lowestoft because of a problem with blisters, but after completing 90 minutes at The Walks, Grant was full of praise for his January transfer window capture.

“I thought Fozzy was excellent tonight,” said Grant. “He's worked his socks off in the summer. There's no doubt he's got ability. I've never questioned his ability. His enthusiasm sometimes is his biggest problem because he runs all over the pitch.

“If you look at his fitness levels he was way above everybody else and he's proved that with the tests he's done in the summer. His fitness tests have blown everybody away, so he's been top drawer.”

Fotheringham made 15 appearances for City last season after arriving as a free agent, but did not start three games in a row until the final three matches of the season.

However, the £1.5m departure of Dickson Etuhu and uncertainty over Youssef Safri's future could improve his opportunities.

Said Grant: “People are challenging for positions in there. They know the places are vacant at this time. They know there'll be changes made. It's up to them to try to grab it.”

Skipper Adam Drury set City on course for victory at The Walks with a rare goal after just four minutes, thumping in a low right-foot drive from 25 yards.

But if fans were expecting another scoring spree after Tuesday's 12-goal romp at Lowestoft, it did not materialise until the final six minutes.

Indeed, second-half 'keeper Joe Lewis had to produce fine saves from substitutes Michael Frew and Jack Defty to prevent the Linnets getting on terms.

City's Czech striker, David Strihavka, had a frustrating night with a first-half header cleared off the line and a 77th-minute goal disallowed, but he won the penalty from which they stretched their lead after 84 minutes.

Strihavka was upended by Mark Warren and Jamie Cureton scored from the penalty spot.

City wrapped up victory with two goals in a minute, both set up by Bally Smart. Cureton volleyed in Smart's cross after 87 minutes, then Damon Lathrope fired home from another centre by the 18-year-old South African.

t King's Lynn (4-4-2) - Crichton (Hilton, 59 min); West (Charlie Defty, 78 min), Camm, Warren, Chapman; O'Halloran (Frew, 51 min), Ridgeway, Melton (Harvey, 84 min), Tidy (Francis, 68 min); Bloomfield (Jack Defty, 56 min), Turner (Heath-Preston, 64 min). Subs (not used) Buhleman, Fell, Spriggs.

t Norwich City (4-4-2) - Gallacher (Lewis, 45 min); Cave-Brown (Kelly, 78 min), Doherty, Shackell, Drury; Croft (Smart, 73 min), Brellier (Rossi Jarvis, 45 min), Fotheringham, Ryan Jarvis (Lathrope, 73 min); Strihavka, Cureton. Subs (not used) Renton, Halliday.

t Referee - Mike George.

t Attendance - 1,366.