CHRIS LAKEY Luke Chadwick produced his best performance in Norwich City colours in the draw with Ipswich - but admits he needs a run of games to prove he has the class to hold down his place.

CHRIS LAKEY

Luke Chadwick produced his best performance in Norwich City colours in the draw with Ipswich - but admits he needs a run of games to prove he has the class to hold down his place.

Chadwick has started just seven games for Norwich since his debut, also against Ipswich, last November. It was a day he's hardly likely to forget: the enjoyment of a goal after 26 minutes wiped out by three for the hosts, and a collision with an advertising hoarding that left him sidelined for almost four months with a knee injury.

He very nearly scored against Town again on Sunday, a second-half drag back setting him free in the area, only to see goalkeeper Neil Alexander spoil the fun with another quality save.

"It was a great chance really," said Chadwick. "Everyone seemed to just disappear and I turned and I was one-on-one with the keeper and I think if I had kept it on the floor it would have gone in. It wasn't a great finish so I was disappointed not to score. He made some good saves - if it wasn't for him maybe we could have won the game."

It was encouraging stuff for Chadwick, especially in front of a new manager, but he is due a touch of luck after his injury.

"I think obviously last season I hardly played because of the injuries," he said. "This season started and we haven't been playing well, but the new manager has come in and we have put in a good performance, but I think we should have won the game.

"It gives you a boost of confidence when the manager picks the team and it was good to be in it.

"I think I need to play in all the games, but it is up to me. If I am not playing well I won't be in the team so I have got to play well."