Norwich City striker Darren Huckerby has spoken of the heartache he has endured from being away from his team-mates because of a groin injury. The 31-year-old is still rated as a major doubt for Saturday's match against Preston North End and the forward admitted that it has been a very frustrating pre-season.

Norwich City striker Darren Huckerby has spoken of the heartache he has endured from being away from his team-mates because of a groin injury.

The 31-year-old is still rated as a major doubt for Saturday's match against Preston North End and the forward admitted that it has been a very frustrating pre-season.

“It's been very difficult,” he said. “I have been used to training with the lads and to miss out on that has been difficult for me. When you're injured, you're normally on your own in the gym or whatever and you don't always feel a part of things.”

Huckerby, who has been forced to sit out all six of Norwich's pre-season matches, conceded that a lack of match practice could hamper the winger when he does recover from injury.

“I want to play games and unfortunately I've not been able to do that. I will have to be a bit more wary when I get fit but that's how it's got to be.

“It's not been an ideal start to the season but it's not a big problem for me.”

Huckerby, who blasted the club earlier in the summer for a lack of ambition following the departures of Robert Earnshaw and Dickson Etuhu, admitted that he has been preparing for the new season as if it is his last as a footballer.

“I have been doing that for the last three or four years,” he said. “I have signed until the end of the season and then we will see where we go from there.”

Manager Peter Grant admitted on Friday that he has been planning for the absence of Huckerby for the visit to Preston but the City boss will be hoping the current player-of-the-year can overcome his injury.

If Huckerby is missing then Grant will be forced to turn to the likes of Lee Croft or Luke Chadwick, who has looked impressive in pre-season for the Canaries.

The former Stoke man has overcome his nightmare injury spell of last season and could be set to fill Huckerby's boots at the weekend.