AUDIO: Striker Simeon Jackson has issued a reminder that it is not even half-time in the Championship season – far too early to talk about Norwich City’s promotion prospects.

The Canada international was this afternoon expected to return to the side against Portsmouth at Carrow Road in place of suspended skipper and top scorer Grant Holt, a welcome opportunity after starting the previous five matches on the bench.

The 23-year-old Jackson is not getting carried away, however, by the Canaries’ impressive campaign so far, with Paul Lambert’s team in fourth position ahead of today’s matches.

“I think if someone had offered that to us at the start of the season we’d have taken it, so we’re definitely happy with where we are at the minute,” said Jackson.

“But it’s not really about right now, it’s about where we’re going to be at the end. So we just have to keep doing what we’re doing and keep the spirit and keep getting results where we can. There’s a long way to go yet.”

Queens Park Rangers, Cardiff and Swansea were the only sides above City this morning – opponents against whom City gained a draw, a defeat and a win, respectively, and the three most impressive teams they have faced, in Jackson’s eyes. But he said: “We don’t really fear anyone in the league. We’ve had a taste of it now so there’s no one we worry about.

“It’s still early days and the table could drastically change in the next month or so. We have to keep concentrating on our games.”

Though Holt’s absence potentially gave Jackson another opportunity to add to his four senior goals for the Canaries, he admitted the captain’s one-match ban was “definitely a miss for us”.

He said: “Grant’s been doing really well and we’ve been getting some good results. Sometimes it’s good to have a look from the side and see what you can do when you come on and hopefully change the game. I’m definitely excited about the opportunity of playing.”

Jackson partnered Chris Martin in the opening Championship match against Watford but has mostly played alongside Holt.

He said: “Chris is a really good player. You get to play with different strikers in training and get to see what everyone’s about.

“I am happy playing with both of them and to fill in anywhere I can at the moment.

“It doesn’t really matter who you’re playing with.”