David Cuffley Skipper Mark Fotheringham has welcomed the arrival of another former Celtic colleague in the Norwich City ranks. Confirmation of central defender John Kennedy's half-season loan deal makes him the third Parkhead export at Carrow Road.

David Cuffley

Skipper Mark Fotheringham has welcomed the arrival of another former Celtic colleague in the Norwich City ranks.

Confirmation of central defender John Kennedy's half-season loan deal makes him the third Parkhead export at Carrow Road.

And Fotheringham believes the 24-year-old, once sidelined for nearly three years by a serious knee injury he suffered on his Scotland debut, has every incentive to make a big impact in the Championship.

"He's a big, strong lad. He's really strong in the air and he's a good footballer on the ground as well," said Fotheringham.

"He's a good character and he wants to win. He brings a wealth of experience, playing up in Scotland for the champions, and he's played a lot of games in the Champions League, so he's going to be a good signing, I think.

"There were other clubs coming in for him last week but it was testament to the gaffer in getting him down here.

"I'm sure myself and David Marshall want a cut of the fee, too. Seriously, though, he's a good lad and I'm sure he'll bring a lot to the squad.

"If we can keep him injury-free, he'll be a really good signing."

Fotheringham, by no means an automatic choice 12 months ago, starts his first full season as captain surrounded by new faces, but insists City are better equipped than at the start of last season, with eight summer signings so far.

"I personally think it's a better squad than last year. We're bringing in some quality players like Arturo Lupoli and big John, and Sammy Clingan's shown he has some good qualities," he said.

Defender Dejan Stefanovic and forward Wes Hoolahan have also impressed the skipper.

"Big Dejan looks composed. I think he's going to be a good signing and we've still got some more players to come in so I think the boys will be all right," he said.

Winger Hoolahan played in a more of a roving role in Monday's 5-1 defeat at the hands of Tottenham.

"It's not for me to say where Wes is going to play, but he's going to bring a lot to the team," said Fotheringham. "He's a different player from Darren Huckerby. Wes is always going to bring comparisons because he's come in on the left and is trying to replace him. Darren was a fantastic athlete and player for Norwich and I can't speak highly enough of him, but I'm sure Wes will bring his own qualities to the team."

Fotheringham said City's confidence had not suffered from their hammering by Tottenham.

He said: "I said to the boys 'You need to keep your heads up'. Some of these players like Luka Modric have come in for £16m or £17m. You've got to put that into perspective and I think it's been a good thing, a good exercise. We've not played a lesser team and won 3-0 or 4-0. This is really going to prepare us for where we've got to be at when the season starts.

"Spurs were outstanding. In the second half I thought they were as good as any team that will play in the Premier League this season. They were really zipping the ball about.

"I think if we had kept it tight in the first half and gone in at 1-1 we were still in with a chance in the second half. In the first half there were a lot of pleasing things. We had some good moves and a great finish from Jamie Cureton."

Meanwhile, full-back Adam Drury, out of action since October, is expected to be fit for the opening Championship game at Coventry in 10 days' time. He has not appeared yet in pre-season games.

Said manager Glenn Roeder: "Adam is recovering from a slight hamstring strain and we have to be careful with him to make sure, come the start of the season, he's fully fit. Adam's done enough in pre-season training to show me that he will play an important part in the squad this season. I like him as a person and he's got some quality in his left foot."