Jonathan Redhead Rhoys Wiggins is eager to stake his claim for the Norwich City left-back spot - if manager Paul Lambert gives him a chance this evening. Wiggins seems certain to be selected for his first Canaries start in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy southern area quarter-final clash at Swindon Town (7.

Jonathan Redhead

Rhoys Wiggins is eager to stake his claim for the Norwich City left-back spot - if manager Paul Lambert gives him a chance this evening.

Wiggins seems certain to be selected for his first Canaries start in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy southern area quarter-final clash at Swindon Town (7.30pm), with Adam Drury injured and occasional left-back Simon Lappin suspended.

And it will be the first real chance for the Welsh Under-21 international to force his way into Lambert's starting line-up since his arrival from Crystal Palace over the summer.

Signed by Bryan Gunn, Wiggins arrived injured after having surgery on his knee, and has only just been able to fight his way back to full fitness.

His 35-run out as a substitute against Paulton on Saturday was only his second City appearance and now the 22-year-old is keen to push on and become a first-team regular.

“It'd be a good opportunity for me if I do get to play,” he said.

“I'll just take whatever comes and hopefully can perform and stake a claim for the position.

“It's a bit of pressure, but that's part of football as well. Every game you've got to go out and do what you can to win so there's always pressure on winning and playing well.

“It's good for team morale and stuff like that. You can't beat winning. Every game that's what you go out there to do and it's going quite well for us at the minute.

“Another 90 minutes is always welcome. I don't know what the gaffer's going to do, whether he's got the same squad or what. We'll just have to wait to find out.

“It's up to the manager to decide as well but I feel good and I'm just waiting for my chance really. I've had many like that to be fair.

“It's going alright. I'm quite happy with the way it's gone. I needed what was done in the summer so hopefully that will give me what I need know to not get injured again in the future.”

Wiggins refuses to be bitter about his enforced absence at the start of the campaign which was tinged with uncertainty as he was unable to play for the manager who signed him.

But the Londoner says he is very happy with life in Norwich.

“I think that's a bit of football to be fair and you've got to take it as part and parcel of the game,” he said.

“Bryan Gunn, when I worked with him, was a top man and everyone got on quite well with him, but Lambert's come in and done a superb job.

“We're flying up the league and got the results coming in and I don't think anyone could argue with that.

“We're training like he likes at 100mph and working hard. He doesn't like to give you any chance to relax and stuff, so it's definitely working for me and the other lads as well.

“We've got more fitness and stuff and we're doing a lot better on the pitch and we're all together off it.

“It's a smaller City than London obviously, but I like it. I've taken a trip into the city a few times and had a look around. I saw Diversity the other week and that was pretty decent too.”