DAVID CUFFLEY Peter Thorne vowed to put transfer talk to the back of his mind after adding to his pre-season goal tally in Norwich City's 3-1 victory at Cambridge United.

DAVID CUFFLEY

Peter Thorne vowed to put transfer talk to the back of his mind after adding to his pre-season goal tally in Norwich City's 3-1 victory at Cambridge United.

The 33-year-old striker made it three goals from two games when he headed the Canaries' equaliser from a Youssef Safri free-kick just before half-time.

Thorne, who also struck the woodwork in the opening 45 minutes at the Abbey Stadium before City's starting eleven made way for a different second-half line-up, admitted he had endured a “difficult” first season at Carrow Road after his free transfer from Cardiff just over a year ago.

But he won't be letting reports of interest from League One side Brighton affect his preparations for the new campaign.

Said Thorne: “It was frustrating last season. I got injured and didn't play much football at all, so it was difficult. But you don't know what happens in football.

“At the minute I'm just concentrating on fitness. I want to get as fit and I can and take it from there.

“I don't worry about anything that's said about me. This time of year is all about getting that fitness level and everything else takes care of itself.”

Thorne started just 13 first-team games last season, scoring once, and made a further 10 appearances as a substitute.

City boss Nigel Worthington admitted during the close season that he may be prepared to part with Thorne if a potential deal suited all parties, but has since praised his contribution in training and insisted there had been no contact from other clubs.

And if he can maintain his goalscoring start against more testing opposition, there may yet be a more profitable second year ahead for Thorne.

He said: “It's always nice to score goals and with that and topping up fitness, it's going OK so far.

“It has been tough on days when it's as hot as this. It was very, very hot out there but I don't mind it. It was the same for both teams.

“But this pre-season has been the toughest I've ever experienced. The training's been very, very hard.

“Playing 45 minutes eases you in a bit, but it's going to be hard when you get your first 90 minutes and it's in the second half when it really kicks in.”

Of his goal on Saturday, poached from close range under the nose of ex-City 'keeper Paul Crichton, Thorne said: “I just gave Safs a little nod to hold it up at the far post and he did, to be fair, it was a good ball and I ended up getting between the 'keeper and the centre-half. It was a very low header, though, and I only just got to it.”