Graham Dorrans is fully-briefed on the threat posed by German side FC Augsburg in Saturday's final tour friendly.

The Scottish midfielder played 90 minutes in Monday's 1-0 defeat to Maccabi Haifa, that marked a major step up in the Canaries' pre-season preparations. Dorrans expects an even tougher test against the top-five Bundesliga outfit ahead of flying home later this evening for next week's Carrow Road return against West Ham.

'I have seen a couple of their pre-season results and they have been doing really well,' he said.

'They finished fourth or fifth in the Bundesliga so they must be a good side. It is another step up for us and it's exactly what we need. Without being disrespectful to the sides we have played so far the Israelis were a step up in class. The first half was difficult, with the weather and the heat, but in the second half we controlled the game and could easily have scored two goals. It's been a good trip but it will be nice to get back to Carrow Road and get the fans back into the swing of it as well. That could be tough again next week, although with West Ham in the Europa League I am not sure what sort of squad they will be sending. Brentford are a good side as well and they will get us ready for the Crystal Palace game.'

Much has been made of the importance of a fast start to Premier League life, but top-flight veteran Dorrans cautions City must be prepared for the long haul.

'It is important to get a good start, but the reality is over the course of a season you play everyone twice,' said the 28-year-old.

'We have some tough games in and around Christmas so from that point of view you would like to get points on the board. I have had a long time in the Premier League (at West Brom). When I first came here I knew what the brief was, to get this club back into the top flight and I was delighted we managed to do that, so now I am looking forward to getting back there with this bunch of boys. With the quality in this squad we will be capable of competing. The gaffer, I am sure, will be looking to add a couple more. A lot of the boys who helped this club finish high up in the table in the Premier League are still here and people may forget that.'

Dorrans expects any Alex Neil side to attack the top flight.

'It is a tough league. outside the top seven or eight, everyone is fighting but we can go to places and get results and make it hard for teams coming to Carrow Road,' he said.

'I don't think the manager here has that in him to just go and settle for staying up. The mindset is we want to finish as high up as we can and the gaffer is no different.'