DAVID CUFFLEY Luke Chadwick watched in awe from the touchline as Norwich City team-mate Darren Huckerby delivered what he described as a “world-class” goal to sink Championship leaders Birmingham.

DAVID CUFFLEY

Luke Chadwick watched in awe from the touchline as Norwich City team-mate Darren Huckerby delivered what he described as a “world-class” goal to sink Championship leaders Birmingham.

Then the 26-year-old winger had the satisfaction of finally making his home debut for the Canaries, nearly four months after being stretchered off with a serious knee injury on his first appearance for the club at Ipswich.

Chadwick was a substitute for Lee Croft eight minutes from time and, after witnessing Huckerby's 47th-minute solo classic, admitted he could hardly wait to get into the action.

He said: “It was brilliant - my first game for Norwich at Carrow Road, so I was really happy to get out there even if it was only for 10 minutes or so, and it was a great result for us.

“It was a great reception after so long out but the result was the most important thing and Hucks scored a world-class goal and everyone's delighted with the result.

“He's that sort of player and he can really produce the unexpected and the brilliant as he did tonight.”

In fact, Chadwick, who scored on his debut at Portman Road, almost added another goal with his first touch last night, getting his head to Simon Lappin's cross.

He said: “It's not often I get on the end of a cross like that at the far post. It was good but it came off the side of my head a bit and nearly fell for Hucks, but it was unlucky really.

“I think I just need a few games. I've done all my fitness work while I've been injured and I've been working hard in training. I just need a few games and it will all come back to me.”

Chadwick rated the result as a significant pointer to next season for the Canaries.

He said: “It just shows with Birmingham top of the league what we could achieve here, so hopefully we can keep this squad together and go on together.

“We've got a few games left this season and I hope we can go on winning those and see where it takes us.

“The gaffer made a point before the game about us having to be more competitive. I think he was upset about the first half against Cardiff, and now he's telling us that with players coming back and getting fit again, there's competition for places and we've got to play like that and put our bodies on the line if we want to get results.”