Barry Simmonds ready to help Neil Adams with his Norwich City recruitment drive

Following the departure of chief scout Ewan Chester, Simmonds has left Fulham after seven years at Craven Cottage to take one of four seats on the Canaries' new football board – alongside chief executive and former Fulham colleague, David McNally.

And Simmonds is already clear on how he can help City's new permanent manager to ensure he has a squad fit for a promotion push come the start of the new Championship season.

'It all happened very quickly and it is exciting,' said Simmonds. 'All new positions are fresh challenges and bring with them their own excitement and things to throw yourself into.

'I've been here several times before for games, and it's just a very nice atmosphere. Everybody has been very welcoming.

'We've got the added thing of having a manager who is new to that position as well, so it's very exciting to be part of Neil's staff. For me it was a very easy decision.'

City have signed two strikers this season and seen one major departure, with the £7m loss of winger Robert Snodgrass to Hull.

But should interest intensify in the Canaries' remaining squad, then Simmonds will be on hand to help Adams' search for replacements.

'They need to be hard-working, honest, athletic, able to cope with the demands of playing 46 games through a season but with the technical ability to be able to fit in with the programme that Neil wants to adopt,' he said.

'I think the important thing is to give Neil the opportunity to look at players as potential targets who will add to the squad. There's no point in bringing in players who will just fill the squad, they've got to add to it.'

On searching both at home and abroad, Simmonds added: 'It certainly gives you an insight into the character of different nationalities, without being too general with that.

'Contacts too, of course – there's always someone you know who you can call with regards to players in particular countries, so it's good in that respect.'