McKenzie set for Carrow Road return, at last

Ciity old boy Leon McKenzie is gearing up for a long overdue Carrow Road homecoming with new club Charlton later this month.

McKenzie is set for a first return to his former stomping ground since leaving in 2006 as part of the Addicks' table topping squad on August 19 after agreeing a free transfer switch to The Valley.

The 31-year-old retains a special place in Canary folklore after notching a brace in a winning East Anglian derby debut display at Ipswich during the club's Championship promotion-season in 2003/04.

McKenzie, however, rules out any divided loyalties after Charlton boss Phil Parkinson offered the popular frontman an escape route from his injury-jinxed spell at Coventry.

"I didn't know the manager, but he obviously knew of me and thinks I will be a good addition to his squad," said McKenzie. "I know it is a drop down but it is a good club and hopefully I can help them get back up to the Championship. They have had a fantastic start to the season, winning all five of their league games so far, and I know that a fit Leon McKenzie has still got a lot to offer."

McKenzie had the chance to join another Championship club up north or move back south to his former stomping ground. The one time Crystal Palace trainee admits his Coventry move turned sour after overcoming a ruptured Achilles injury that saw him miss the last six months of the previous Championship season.

"Charlton is near all my family, the package is decent and 100 per cent better than what Coventry offered me," he said. "I have worked really hard to get back to the levels I am at. I feel Coventry should have done better for me. The manager wanted me to stay until the end of the season and all the players have said it doesn't make sense."