Hucks is walking fine line

JONATHAN REDHEAD Darren Huckerby has admitted he will have to curb his goal celebrations after becoming the latest Norwich City player to walk the disciplinary tightrope.

JONATHAN REDHEAD

Darren Huckerby has admitted he will have to curb his goal celebrations after becoming the latest Norwich City player to walk the disciplinary tightrope.

The City talisman was booked during Saturday's huge home win against Leeds United after jumping into the crowd in the Jarrold Stand, moments after scoring the winner in the 2-1 victory.

But the caution now takes the forward to four bookings for the season - and one more means a one-match suspension.

With a possible glamour tie against Chelsea in the FA Cup next weekend and crucial Coca-Cola Championship clashes coming up, City can ill-afford to be without Huckerby who has been in magnificent form in recent games after moving to a central up front in the absence of Robert Earnshaw.

And the 30-year-old is aware that one more disciplinary mishap could spell a game watching from the sidelines. He said Saturday's celebration was a spur of the moment reaction, and he will be taking extra care in the future.

“It's something I'll look out for,” he said.

Huckerby has also added his voice to those hailing the impact of the club's latest Scottish imports.

Simon Lappin and Mark Fotheringham both made their debuts in the game against Leeds with the former walking away with the man of the match accolade.

The pair only arrived in Norfolk on transfer deadline day starred in the must-win clash with the Yorkshire side days later, with Lappin taking the left full-back spot in the absence of suspended captain Adam Drury, while Fotheringham featured in the midfield and was involved in the build-up to the winning goal.

And Huckerby says it is obvious the pair have the quality to succeed in the Coca-Cola Championship.

“They've done really well,” he said. “Obviously they've just come in but you can see they're quality players.

They've had a lot to get used to but they could add a lot to our left-hand side, especially if I'm going to be playing up front more with Earnie (Robert Earnshaw) out.”

Meanwhile, ahead of another clash with a struggling side, Luton Town this weekend, the City talisman says there is an air of optimism at Carrow Road.

“It was a big, big win for us,” Huckerby said. “We've still got a lot to do, but it was a great game to win.”

And the former Coventry City and Manchester City star says the players will not allow themselves to be distracted from pushing their way up the league by the prospect of a glamour FA Cup fifth round tie at Chelsea if they beat Blackpool in a replay next week.

“I don't think so,” he said. “Realistically, the cup is only going to be won by one of the top teams. It will be nice and a good occasion but we will really just be thinking about the league games.”