Norwich City playmaker Graham Dorrans is being urged to unlock his goalscoring potential by Canaries' boss Alex Neil.

Dorrans has yet to open his goal account this season after scoring three times in 12 appearances during an extended loan spell towards the end of City's Championship promotion success.

The 28-year-old was denied twice by Stoke's inspired England keeper Jack Butland at Carrow Road prior to the international break, and the Scot will hope to get off the mark in Saturday's Premier League return against Bournemouth.

'The gaffer was speaking to me during that week and before the last away game at Sunderland, telling me to get forward more and get in the box. So that's what I'm looking to try and do,' he said. 'The boys in our midfield have got a lot of talent.

'There's a lot of ability in this squad too, whether it's on the pitch or on the bench.

'There's competition for places which keeps you on your toes and I'm enjoying it.'

Dorrans – who became Neil's first summer signing after completing a permanent switch to Carrow Road from the Hawthorns, before being joined by his old Baggies' team Youssouf Mulumbu – scored 26 goals in a six-and-a-half-year association with the Midlands' outfit.

'I've enjoyed it at Norwich from the minute I came in,' added the experienced Premier League operator.

'The lads were great last season and we've continued it into this season.

'We've got a good squad, and a good bunch of boys and they've made it easy for me to settle in.'