JONATHAN REDHEAD Norwich City striker David Strihavka's first goal for his club was the icing on the cake of City's tour of Holland, boss Peter Grant has said. Although Strihavka's English is not quite good enough to conduct interviews, the Czech did say he was "very happy to score his first goal for Norwich City" in the Canaries 2-1 defeat to FC Zwolle on Wednesday night.

JONATHAN REDHEAD

Norwich City striker David Strihavka's first goal for his club was the icing on the cake of City's tour of Holland, boss Peter Grant has said.

Although Strihavka's English is not quite good enough to conduct interviews, the Czech did say he was "very happy to score his first goal for Norwich City" in the Canaries 2-1 defeat to FC Zwolle on Wednesday night.

Strihavka finished off a neat move involving Jamie Cureton and Luke Chadwick only eight minutes into the clash.

Despite the defeat, Grant said he was happy that his summer acquisition had found the net - to complete the quartet of forwards who have scored for City this summer.

"I think the goal was terrific" Grant said. "We'd worked on that in the morning and when it comes off in the evening I'm very pleased at that because it means the players are taking things on board.

"At times he's a typical European striker. He drops off when he should probably be going to close and we want him to press it, so there's things he's got to work on. But all round I've been very impressed with him.

"His general play's been very good. It's great all the strikers have scored from young Chrissy Martin right through. Chrissy Brown has got his goals, Jamie's got his goals so we're very pleased at that.

But Grant has been impress with his entire first team squad, not just the strikers, as the warm-up to the open Coca-Cola Championship clash of the season with Preston North End at Deepdale intensifies.

He revealed that the week-long Dutch tour had been as important for team building and strengthening the squad as it had been for improving fitness and performances.

"They're a very close group and have mixed well together," he said.

"They've all joined in together and that's been very important for us.

"It's been good for those boys coming away for a longish period of time. But we know what we've got to do as a team.

"We know what we've still got to work on. But there's a lot of things to be pleased with. The strikers have scored goals, every one of them and that's an important part, but those goals we conceded were disappointing.

"But I'm sure the closer we get we'll be ready."