Michael Bailey A familiar face to Canaries fans will be missing from the opposition line-up at the Ricoh Arena tomorrow.Coventry's former Norwich striker Leon McKenzie has been ruled out for the rest of the season after rupturing his thigh against Southampton in December, meaning the striker is yet to face his former club since his dramatic exit to the Midlands for a reported £1m on August deadline day, 2006.

Michael Bailey

A familiar face to Canaries fans will be missing from the opposition line-up at the Ricoh Arena tomorrow.

Coventry's former Norwich striker Leon McKenzie has been ruled out for the rest of the season after rupturing his thigh against Southampton in December, meaning the striker is yet to face his former club since his dramatic exit to the Midlands for a reported £1m on August deadline day, 2006.

With a niggling injury forcing McKenzie out of Coventry's 2-0 defeat at Carrow Road earlier in the season, and the terms of the striker's transfer ruling him out of facing the Canaries last term, the Londoner is still waiting to be reunited with Norwich fans.

“It's not meant to be at the moment,” said McKenzie. “I've ruptured my thigh and been out, but I'm on the road to recovery. I've been in this position before so I know what it's like, but I don't know if I'll play again this season.

“That's the way it goes for some of us on the injury front. If I get back towards the end of this season it would be a pretty speedy recovery but I don't want to rush it.”

Having scored 22 goals in 81 appearances for the Canaries, the 29-year-old striker will always be fondly remember by City fans for his two debut goals against Ipswich to send the Canaries top of the Championship table at Portman Road just over four yeas ago, as well as scoring in City's memorable home win over Manchester United in the Premiership three seasons ago.

“It's strange how things have gone for me but I always keep an eye on Norwich and how they're getting on. It was more personal reasons than anything else why I left and I have got great respect for the club, the fans and they've got good players.

“Darren Huckerby is the only one I really keep in contact with at the club, plus a few who have left. I think Darren is at the stage now where he's maybe looking to go at the end of the season, I don't really know.

“But they have given me the opportunity to play in the Premiership. It was a great feeling and experience, and I got a few goals from it. That is what I took from the club.”

Since former Sky Blues boss Micky Adams signed McKenzie, the striker has played under six different managers during his 18 months at the club, including joint caretaker managers John Harbin and Frankie Bunn earlier this year.

Coventry now have Chris Coleman in charge and McKenzie believes Norwich will face a tougher challenge now the former Fulham chief is settling in at the Ricoh.

“Chris Coleman is a very positive, straight-up person,” said McKenzie. “He knows what he wants and he's come in and done his own thing. He's got that aura about him. I think we're playing better football. We didn't have much luck in front of goal against QPR but that's the way it goes sometimes.

“I actually played with him as a kid at Palace. He was my centre-back so I kind of knew him. But I was only a baby then and he has had a chance to see me progress. Hopefully I can come back sharper and do the business.”