Norwich goalkeeper David Marshall is looking forward to having a new training mate in the new year, rather than worrying about competition for his jersey.

Norwich goalkeeper David Marshall is looking forward to having a new training mate in the new year, rather than worrying about competition for his jersey.

The Canaries' stopper has been ever-present this season, but with fellow 'keepers Joe Lewis and Paul Gallacher sent out on loan in the summer and number two Matty Gilks out with an ankle injury, Marshall's been ploughing a lone furrow in the goals at Colney during training.

Lewis is due to return from League Two Morecambe at the start of January, and Marshall will be looking forward to competing with Lewis for his shirt.

“We started the season with five 'keepers, and now there's only two!” said the 23-year-old. “I'm looking forward to him coming back and it'll be good to get back to having two or three boys back training again. It's just a challenge and everywhere I've went it's always been a challenge to play, so it's no different here.

“I think Joe's done pretty well. It'll have been good experience for him and obviously he'll have to come back and try and impress Glenn as well. He's not seen him much.”

The Scottish international is content Lewis is now a fully paid-up member of the goalkeeper's union - scars and all - after copping a few cuts and black eyes in Morecambe's lower league battles.

“I heard he came back and he had a Petr Cech helmet on, so I think he's been in the wars. That kind of happens; he's only played youth team football, so it's been a hard welcome to the league for him.

“I'm sure it's done him the world of good though, and he'll be better for it.

“I've not got too many scars touch wood so far; I'll get one on Saturday no doubt now. But it's part and parcel of the league down here, especially the lower leagues, so I think he's done well and it'll stand him in good stead for the future.”

Although Marshall was an impassioned purchase by former manager Peter Grant, the Scot admitted the players are enjoying working under their new coaching set up at Colney.

“They've been great. Clarky's not that long retired so it's been good, there's a good banter in the dressing room now and obviously results have picked up.

“We've been on a good run. I think we had to because we were right down there at that stage a couple of months ago, so we're out of the bottom three now and hopefully there'll be no looking back.”

One thing which fans worry could scupper such progress is the failure, at present, to secure the services of loan defender Martin Taylor, and Marshall admitted he'd love to have him back in Norfolk.

“He's a big loss, he was great for us,” said Marshall. “Doc's come in there and he was man of the match on Saturday so he's done well.

“We'll have to use the squad, just with the amount of games over Christmas; people like Doc and Shack have softened the blow, but he was a very good for us when he was here.

“I don't know what the situation is with him coming back, but I'd be great to have him back.”