Samba states case

Michael Bailey Trialist Cherno Samba is hoping he has shown enough quality to earn himself a longer stay at Carrow Road. The Gambian striker last night became the latest man to have the opportunity to stake a claim to complete Norwich City's striker line-up ahead of their League One campaign, which starts in just nine days' time.

Michael Bailey

Trialist Cherno Samba is hoping he has shown enough quality to earn himself a longer stay at Carrow Road.

The Gambian striker last night became the latest man to have the opportunity to stake a claim to complete Norwich City's striker line-up ahead of their League One campaign, which starts in just nine days' time.

Samba, 24, played the full 90 minutes and scored as a Norwich City XI won 4-1 at Thetford Town, the striker having arrived at the club on Monday with the hoping of impressing.

After New Zealander Kris Bright finished his unsuccessful trial at Carrow Road, and with the mystery surrounding Goran Maric's potential full-time arrival continuing, Samba hopes to reappear in a yellow shirt again.

"I've come here and the gaffer has given me an opportunity, and I'm really pleased with that," said the former Millwall forward.

"I've just tried to show him that I can do a job. I'm grateful I've played a game today, 90 minutes, I needed that game. I'll get my agent to ring him and see where we go from here.

"It is difficult in a game like this because the team we're playing against, it's like their cup final, but I enjoyed myself.

"It's always nice for a striker to score a goal, especially when you're on trial, but my main thing was my all-round play and I was really pleased with what I've done today."

Samba represented England from under-15 to under-20 level before opting to play for the land of his birth, and was first reported to have had a trial with the Canaries two years ago.

Currently a free agent, the former Millwall and Plymouth man has been highly rated in the past, scoring just eight minutes into his Argyle debut at Coventry in 2006.

But things did not pan out under Ian Holloway at Home Park and after an unsuccessful loan at Wrexham, Samba was left to try his luck with Finnish Premiership side FC Haka.

Hewas released in February after just four appearances and has also been on trial at City's League One rivals Swindon during the summer.

City reserve team boss Ian Crook said: "It was obviously a difficult surface for Cherno to show his skills. It was a bit bobbly but he's showed he's got ability, that's for certain."

Having secured the capture of Grant Holt from Shrewsbury, Gunn currently has Chris Martin, Jamie Cureton and Cody McDonald to choose from - the latter closing in on a first team return after suffering a knee injury in pre-season.