DAVID CUFFLEY Striker Leon McKenzie has turned up the heat before the next instalment of a tale of two Cities - even though he won't be playing. Coventry's new £1m striker has said he is looking forward to watching his new club beat his former Norwich team-mates at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday.

DAVID CUFFLEY

Striker Leon McKenzie has turned up the heat before the next instalment of a tale of two Cities - even though he won't be playing.

Coventry's new £1m striker has said he is looking forward to watching his new club beat his former Norwich team-mates at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday.

McKenzie, 28, is not permitted to play in either Coca-Cola Championship meeting between the two sides this season thanks to a clause inserted in last week's transfer deal by the Canaries.

But he will be in the stand and ready for whatever reception he gets from his old club's travelling fans, who have so far been split over his demand for a move.

“It is a massive disappointment that I am not allowed to play against Norwich this season but there was nothing I could do about it,” said McKenzie of the condition imposed by Carrow Road officials.

“But I will be there next Saturday when we beat them!”

He told the Coventry Evening Telegraph: “The stadium is amazing and I can't wait to play there, which will be a really special occasion for me.”

McKenzie does, however, still face a very hot reception in his first Sky Blues game - as Micky Adams' men travel to Ipswich Town just three days later.

McKenzie made himself an instant hero with the Canaries with two goals against the Tractor Boys on his debut at Portman Road in 2003 to take them top of the Nationwide League, and he is hoping for a repeat performance on Tuesday with his new club.

“It is a mouth-watering prospect,” he said. “I did well on my last debut and it would be great to score against Ipswich again on my Coventry debut.”

McKenzie signed a three-year contract with the Sky Blues last Thursday in a move costing them an initial £600,000, rising to up to £1 million.