Darren Huckerby is set to miss the rest of City's pre-season programme through injury - but is expected to be fit for the Coca-Cola Championship kick-off at Preston on August 11.

Darren Huckerby is set to miss the rest of City's pre-season programme through injury - but is expected to be fit for the Coca-Cola Championship kick-off at Preston on August 11.

The star winger, who has yet to figure in any of the Canaries' warm-up matches, has had a hospital scan on a "low grade groin strain" after returning home early from the tour of Holland.

But physiotherapist Neal Reynolds is optimistic Huckerby will be fit for the first game of the season at Deepdale.

"He had a scan done on Sunday afternoon back in the UK, more from the point of view that if we needed to get something done we could do it quicker than if he was over here," said Reynolds.

"The scan showed he had a low grade groin strain in his right groin. It's now a case of him having treatment back in England and letting it settle down over the next week to 10 days.

"We are aiming for the start of the season and looking at the scan I can't see there will be a huge issue with it," Reynolds told the club's official website.

Meanwhile, manager Peter Grant has flatly rejected suggestions that 31-year-old Huckerby could be leaving City, speculation fuelled by his criticism of the sale of Robert Earnshaw and Dickson Etuhu and his absence from pre-season games.

"If he was going to leave Norwich he would have left last season - there have always been plenty of clubs interested in him. That is why I gave him a new contract," said Grant.

"I spoke to him and told him that I never keep players who are not committed to the club and he said 'Gaffer, I want to stay and play here'. He won't be going anywhere - I can guarantee that."

Grant has also ruled out a fresh move for Celtic striker Derek Riordan, linked with the Canaries last season.