Michael Bailey Norwich City's leading scorer Jamie Cureton is ready to roll out the welcome mat to any would-be striking competition, even if it puts his place in the side at risk.

Michael Bailey

Norwich City's leading scorer Jamie Cureton is ready to roll out the welcome mat to any would-be striking competition, even if it puts his place in the side at risk.

Cureton won the Championship's golden boot last season, having hit 23 goals for Colchester United. But since completing his return to Carrow Road this summer, finding the back of the net has been harder to come by for the striker.

The 32-year-old has eight goals to his name so far this term, and is the first to admit he should have had more. And despite City boss Glenn Roeder believed to be in the hunt for new striker recruits, Cureton is happy to welcome in the new faces - even if it means a tougher fight to make the starting XI.

“It's always good to get more competition,” said Cureton. “Obviously you know you need a big squad and there needs to be pressure on people. I could be selfish and say no because I want to be picked every week, but that's not the way it is.

“You know you need cover for injuries and loss of form, and the manager's doing his best to bring people in.”

Cureton has gone five games without a goal since securing a point against Wolves at Carrow Road in the final game of last year. But it is the Canaries' profligacy, which has prevented Norwich from winning games that they have ultimately drawn.

However, with City unbeaten in nine league matches, the dressing room remains an upbeat place according to Cureton.

“The team is still confident and feels we can beat anyone on our day. We've thought we have done more than enough in the draws to win them, but we've still got a fairly good recent record in the league.

“We had the minor blip in the Cup, and we'd have preferred a few more wins, but we're not getting beat.”

The Canaries' only defeat since the first day of December came last Tuesday against League Two Bury at Gigg Lane, and proved enough to knock them out of the FA Cup.

City's conquerors face Norwich's next league opponents - Southampton - in the fourth round on Saturday, all of which leaves the Canaries with a free weekend and, Cureton believes, a slight advantage over the Saints when the two sides meet at St Mary's Stadium in six days.

“Possibly. They're going to be a little more tired than us and may pick up injuries, which could give us an advantage. They may be a bit more leggy than we are, so we may be sharper.”

Although there may be a twinge of guilt in the way the weekend break has come about, the Norwich striker admitted they're always welcome.

“It's nice to have a little break, although the reasons we have it aren't great, but it's nice to have when it does come along,” said Cureton. “When you get it, you try to use it as best as you can.

“We've had a few days off this week, and I'm going down to Bristol to see some friends and family. But we're back in on Sunday and travelling to Southampton on Monday.”