Norwich City defender Steven Whittaker predicts Portland will pose the Canaries plenty of problems in their USA tour finale.

Whittaker believes the current MLS standings tell you everything about the Timbers' squad who currently sit second in the Western Conference ahead of entertaining Chris Hughton's squad at Jeld-Wen field in theearly hours of Thursday morning (4am BST).

'I don't know too much about them but they are obviously going well in their own league,' Whittaker said after City's final training session at the stadium on Tuesday afternoon. 'I am not a fan of this type of plastic pitch but as a game we are looking forward to it. Myself and a few of the other lads have been a little bit behind the rest as we came back later so it has taken some time to get back into the swing of things. I've enjoyed it. It's been good to get over and play some games and enjoy some good weather for the fitness and training.'

Whittaker found himself in the wars barely a minute into his second half arrival in the weekend's 1-0 friendly defeat to fellow MLS opposition, San Jose.

'I think Snoddy was trying to help me out and his knee caught the back of my head. It was a bit sore for a while but I am fine now,' he said. 'It's always tricky the first few games to get used to the ball and get the legs pumping again. Irrespective of the opposition it will always be tough. We're looking forward to the Portland game. In England we are playing sides who will be at the same stage of pre-season but over here these clubs are at peak sharpness and peak fitness and we are not quite there yet. It's good to have that test.'