Norwich City midfielder Jacob Butterfield looking forward to a new start against Tottenham

Jacob Butterfield hopes this evening will be the start of a happier chapter in his fledgling Norwich City career when he lines up against Tottenham in the Capital One Cup fourth round this evening.

Settling in at a new club still recovering from a serious knee injury was never going to be an easy task for the 21-year-old, who arrived at Carrow Road from Barnsley last summer.

Butterfield has been desperate to show why manager Chris Hughton made it such a priority to secure his signature and showed glimpses of his ability during his debut against Doncaster in the previous round. However, as so often happens after a long term injury, the midfielder has since sustained several minor knocks and he just hopes tonight can be a new beginning for him in Norfolk.

'It's been difficult – you have to build your fitness up and it's all very gradual,' he said. 'You get your frustrating times when you feel like you're ready but other people think you're not.

'It's a new place for me and it's not ideal coming to a new club under these circumstances but I'm feeling good now and it's going to be a good game for me and hopefully a positive step to getting where I want to be.'

Butterfield has finally felt part of the first team squad after hopefully putting his injury worries behind him and believes settling with his new club will be easier with the prospect of playing regular football.

'I've come here to play football first and foremost. Once you get in the team and once you're playing regularly it makes everything seem easier,' he added. 'I'm far from home – I'm a single lad so I live on my own. It has been difficult at times but I'm settled in the area and I'm getting to know the place a bit better.

'When you come down and you're injured, spending time in the physio room it does get you a bit down. I'm feeling good now though and really looking forward to playing.'

Butterfield admitted the Canaries squad have done their best to make him feel included. 'They are a real good set of lads and I'm getting on really well with the boys. They have shown me around Norwich and I'm happy to be here and I'm starting to feel as part of the squad.

'I'm settled here and I'm enjoying it. It's just about getting into the team and playing regular football now. That's what I need to focus on now.'

Butterfield is under no illusions as to the task he faces gaining a regular starting berth under Hughton despite overcoming his recent injury problems. If he is to become a fixture for City then he faces the unenviable task of displacing man-of-the-moment Wes Hoolahan, who has been one of the key factors in the club's recent upturn.

It is not a task Butterfield is daunted by however.

'He's a good player and he's got really good technical ability,' he said of the Irishman. 'I've watched him and that's the level that I need to be at. I need to prove that I'm better than that to get a game because the gaffer is going to pick his best XI and Hoolahan is doing really well.

'I need to prove myself and that's the challenge that's out there. The Spurs match is the first step for me – I've not had the chance to show anyone what I can do. It will be a good opportunity for me against a strong team.'