Chadwick targets a Christmas return

Norwich City winger Luke Chadwick is targeting a first- team comeback before Christmas after his horror injury sustained against Ipswich Town last month.

The former Manchester United man required hospital treatment for a gashed knee after he was sent crashing into the advertising hoardings on his debut for the Canaries by Ipswich's Matthew Bates.

But Chadwick, 26, believes he could be back for the busy festive period after having the stitches removed from the wound yesterday.

"I'm hoping to be back before Christmas but the next week or so will be important to see how the knee settles down," he said. "The rehab work is going really well. It's not as painful as it was and the doctors are really pleased with how it's healing.

"I've been able to do a bit of work on the exercise bike, but the next week is very important to see how the swelling goes down."

Chadwick re-lived the moment his derby day joy at scoring on his debut turned sour in the second half of the 3-1 defeat to Jim Magilton's side.

"It was an absolute dream to score in my first game, but then it all turned into a bit of a nightmare," he said. "I mean there's not much point in scoring if your side cannot go on and win, so it was a big disappointment.

"I was in a lot of pain after the challenge and I thought it could be quite a serious injury. The physio said that it could have been a lot worse for me if the cut had been a bit lower.

"My shoulder popped out as well and I was more worried about that at the time, but then I looked down and saw all this blood round my knee."

Chadwick insists he bears no grudge against Bates for the challenge that left him hospitalised for three days.

"I think it was a fair tackle. He probably went in a bit harder than he needed to seeing as it was a derby but I would have done exactly the same as him."

Chadwick is officially on-loan at Carrow Road from Stoke but a deal is in place for the move to become permanent when the transfer window re-opens in January. Despite a somewhat traumatic beginning he is delighted to have made the move to Norfolk.

"Although the injury has been frustrating it has been great coming to Norwich. The lads have made me feel so welcome and it's been great to be able to move home."

On the news that Norwich have been paired with Conference side Tamworth in the FA Cup third round, Chadwick warned his team-mates against any complacency when they face the minnows in January.

Chadwick was part of a Stoke side that was taken to penalties by the Midlands side in the corresponding round last year.

He said: "I couldn't believe it when we were pulled out the hat against Tamworth. When I was at Stoke we had a bit of a nightmare against them.

"They got a draw at our place and were within only a few minutes of beating us at their ground so we'll have to be very careful.

"But with the players we've got at Norwich I'm sure we will be able to go there and get through to the next round."