Goalkeeper John Ruddy has provided another late season boost for Norwich City club after revealing he will return to full training this week.

With fans still hailing the stunning coup that will see prized Dutch striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel heading to Carrow Road next season, Ruddy's news will simply add to the feelgood factor at the club.

Ruddy, who has been out of action since tearing a thigh muscle against former club Everton four months ago, says he is determined to play again before the current campaign is over – then quickly turned his attentions to the future with one new addition already signed and sealed.

'I think it shows we believe we can establish ourselves as a Premier League club, which we have done last season and hopefully we can do this season,' said the 26-year-old.

'I am sure his price tag isn't minimal, I am sure we paid a good amount of money, which also gives a good indication of how we are approaching it and it is an indication as well of competition for places.

'We have got a fantastic squad of players, a very talented squad, and next season looks like being an exciting one at Norwich City, but obviously we have got a job to do in the Premier League at the moment. We are still probably a win or two away from guaranteeing our safety, but building for next season it looks very good indeed.'

Whether Ruddy appears before next August may well depend on a number of factors: how he reacts to comeback appearances in the Under-21s, and how back-up keepers Mark Bunn and Lee Camp – who will play at Wigan next weekend following Bunn's sending off at Sunderland eight days ago – perform in his absence.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Ruddy said: 'It has gone really well, touch wood, there have been no problems so far. I start full training on Thursday, which I am very much looking forward to.

'It has been really frustrating for the last four-and-a-half months so it is going to be nice to be out on the fields with the lads again. I am very much looking forward to it and I can't wait to be back in action.

'I'll play a couple of games for the U21s to make sure I'm match sharp and then it is down to the manager.'

'The lads have done fantastic - Bunny has done fantastically well and Campy has got a game to look forward to against Wigan and I am sure he will do a good job as well.'

However, Ruddy – who was forced to miss England's Euro 2012 campaign last summer because of a broken finger - dismissed any thoughts he might simply see out the season from the sidelines and start afresh in the new campaign.

'It has been too frustrating to sit back and wait another couple of months,' he said.

'I really want to get back. I have worked very hard, me and my physio Stuart Wardle at the club, he has been fantastic with me, he helped me through everything, he has been top draw and really pushed me to get back as quickly as I have, because it is fairly quickly for a goalkeeper to be back from this type of injury.

'Obviously with the amount of kicks and the distance I am kicking every game that has been the main aspect of what we have been focusing on so I am eager to get back, itching to get back and hopefully that will be in a few weeks.'