Sidelined Canaries defender Adam Drury may be out of sight - but manager Glenn Roeder has ensured he isn't out of mind.

Sidelined Canaries defender Adam Drury may be out of sight - but manager Glenn Roeder has ensured he isn't out of mind.

The City left back has missed the last 25 games after undergoing surgery on a knee injury - sustained before Roeder stepped through the Carrow Road door.

The 29-year-old has watched from the stands as loan players Mo Camara and Ryan Bertrand have taken over his role in the team.

Drury is now counting off the days to his return, and says Roeder has kept an eye on his rehabilitation every step of the way.

“He checks on me every day to see how I'm doing and how the rehab's going and bits and pieces, just basically keeping me involved and keeping me informed of what is happening, which is great because I haven't actually trained a day with the gaffer or the new people yet because I was injured when they arrived,” said Drury. “So the way they have treated me has been first class.”

Drury suffered knee ligament damage during the game against Bristol City on October 20 - the first of caretaker manager Jim Duffy's three games in charge before Roeder stepped into the breach.

Since then it's been onwards and upwards - although Drury admits it's been tough not being involved.

“Obviously it is never great not to play but at the same time it's not like I thought I was going to be out for a week or two weeks and I knew I was going to be part of it again,” he said. “It's been one where I knew I was going to be out six months, maybe the whole season, so I've wanted the team to do well every week and it doesn't affect you as much as if you're not being picked even if you are fit.

“Obviously I am gutted I am not part of it, but I am glad to see them doing so well.”

Drury has stayed behind this week as the first team squad enjoyed a mini break in Spain and while rehab has been slow going at times, there is some progress being made.

“I have just started jogging recently, nothing crazy, just getting basically used to jogging and getting my rhythm back because with the injury I have had and the surgery I have had I haven't actually jogged now for four, nearly five, months,” he said.

“It is basically getting my stride pattern back - it good to be out there running at Colney again. It makes a nice change. Although I knew it was going to be a long road it can get boring doing the same thing day in d ay out, but both the physios, Pete (Shaw) and Neal (Reynolds), have worked hard in varying what I am doing alongside (fitness coach) Dave Carolan.

“It's been good, but to get outside makes it a whole lot better.

“It's hard, I am not going to lie. It is very, very hard and I think one of the big things people don't realise when you're injured is that you don't feel particularly part of it as you do when you can go out and train and join in.

“But obviously all the people around you, all the rest of the lads, the manager and coaches and the physios, do a great job of keeping you involved as much as they can and keep the spirits up each day and each day that goes by is another day closer to playing.”