DAVID CUFFLEY Nigel Worthington paid tribute to goalkeeper Robert Green as he continues his comeback from the injury that forced him out of the World Cup.

DAVID CUFFLEY

City boss Nigel Worthington today paid tribute to goalkeeper Robert Green as he continues his comeback from the injury that forced him out of the World Cup.

The 26-year-old England international declared himself “completely pain-free” yesterday as he stepped up his recovery from the torn groin muscle he suffered playing for England B against Belarus in May.

And Worthington, watching his 'keeper's daily progress in light training at Colney, said: “He's coming along very nicely. The specialist says he's right on cue with his recovery.”

Green and fellow long-term injury victim Matthieu Louis-Jean will be among five senior players missing when the Canaries kick off their pre-season schedule at Fakenham Town tomorrow (7.30).

Club captain Craig Fleming and strikers Ian Henderson and Robert Earnshaw will also be sidelined.

“They've missed a couple of days' training because of minor knocks so they won't be playing tomorrow,” said Worthington, who plans to field separate teams in each half against the Ghosts.

But he welcomed Green's progress and his attitude to training after the shattering blow of missing the world's biggest tournament.

“He's got down to work very well. The World Cup's been and gone now and he's concentrating on his recovery.”

Green told the club's official website: “It's good to be back doing some exercises. I'm not the sort of person to sit around doing nothing.

“It's pleasing to get out and about and the blood flowing again.”

He said the operation to repair the injury appeared to have been a total success.

“It feels fine. It's completely pain-free,” he said. “It's obviously not as strong as it was so the next step is the get the strength back up. Hopefully from there I will be back in training.

“They said it was such a rare injury that I just have to take it as I go. There are no real guidelines as to how long it will take.

“I think four months was pretty wide of the mark - hopefully I will be back before then.”

He said he had enjoyed watching the World Cup despite his personal disappointment at missing out, and England's quarter-final exit.

“I watched all the England games and the matches in the latter stages. I've enjoyed watching it all, although it was disappointing with the way we went out of it - in typically English style.”