Youssef Safri has been welcomed back to Colney training centre with open arms following his month-long stint with Morocco in the African Cup of Nations.

Youssef Safri has been welcomed back to Colney training centre with open arms following his month-long stint with Morocco in the African Cup of Nations.

Safri's country bowed out of the competition at the group stage last week and eyebrows were raised in some quarters when he failed to make it back in time for City's testing trip to league leaders Reading on Tuesday evening.

But his non-appearance was never an issue for manager Nigel Worthington - and the midfielder is expected to go straight back into the Norwich starting line-up for tomorrow's showdown with Ipswich at Carrow Road.

“Youssef is pleased to be back,” said the City boss. “It was the plan all along for him to be back with us on Thursday. The Moroccan FA had requested some time to assess and reflect on what happened in the tournament. It was the same for all their players and is common practice in such circumstances.

“It has not done him any harm and he also had the chance to see his family, which was good for him.

“The good thing is that Youssef has had plenty of football while he has been away so match fitness won't be a problem.”