Darren Huckerby is looking forward to showing Malky Mackay a clean pair of heels when he squares up against his old pal - now an integral cog in Watford's promotion-chasing machine - in tomorrow's game at Carrow Road.

Norwich City forward Darren Huckerby was today looking forward to showing Malky Mackay a clean pair of heels when he squares up against his old pal - now an integral cog in Watford's promotion-chasing machine - in tomorrow's Coca-Cola Championship game at Carrow Road (3pm).

Huckerby made a stunning return to action last Saturday, having been suspended for the FA Cup defeat against West Ham, scoring a superb individual goal to earn City a point at Plymouth, and appears to be returning to the kind of form that helped capture the Division One championship title a couple of seasons ago.

And City's jet-heeled striker, who missed the away fixture against Watford earlier in the season because of injury, is desperate to make up for his previous absence against the Hornets.

“It's nice to be back after the West Ham game. It's back to playing at home and hopefully three points,” said Huckerby, who somehow wriggled free of his markers and then burst into the Pilgrims' area in thrilling fashion before beating the 'keeper with an impudent chip from a tight angle.

“We owe them one, more than anything,” added Huckerby. “I didn't play in the last game against Watford so I'm looking forward to this one and hopefully we can string a few results together now.

“Big Malky will be playing, but I won't be marking him at corners, so I'm not too worried. It will be good to see him and hopefully he'll get a good reception from the fans.”

Following the Watford game, City have 10 days to prepare for their potentially titanic clash away to runaway Championship leaders Reading and Huckerby is hoping Youssef Safri - without whom City have not won a game this season - may have returned by then.

If Morocco are knocked out in the group stages of African Cup of Nations, which starts today, Safri could feasibly be back at Colney after next weekend.

“We have got to keep it going until everybody is back,” he declared. “Robbo's injured and Safs is away so we have got to try and keep a decent run going until everyone is back and then we can start pushing on again.

“It's good for us to have time off and hopefully we'll have Safs back. Hopefully they will get knocked out as soon as possible and we can concentrate on winning games here,” said Huckerby, with a wry smile.

“We're looking to get a result against everyone, whether they are above or below us. And we have got to go into the Reading game believing that we can get a win.”