Norwich City winger Elliott Bennett can't wait to finally step out on to the Amex Stadium turf this evening (7.45pm).

The 24-year-old left the Seagulls to join the Canaries in the summer of 2011 before Brighton had made the move from the Withdean to their impressive new stadium.

Bennett had hoped to come up against his former side in the Premier League but will settle for seeing some of his old friends in tonight's pre-season friendly.

'Brighton will always have a special place in my heart, it's the first result I look out for along with how my brother's got on (Kyle, at Doncaster),' Bennett told Brighton's official website.

'It was really disappointing to see the lads lose to Palace in the play-offs because I really want to see the club succeed, especially for the fans who are so passionate and who treated me so well during my time here.'

Tonight's trip to the south coast will be the City first team's first pre-season friendly on these shores following their tour of the US.

After beating Dorados in their opening fixture Norwich slipped to 1-0 defeats against San Jose Earthquakes and Portland Timbers but Bennett believes insists attaining match fitness was always the main goal and that won't change this evening.

'At this stage it's all about working on your fitness but Brighton will provide a tough test,' he said. 'I'm looking forward to it and to walking out on that Amex pitch at last.

'I always hoped to return to the Amex to face Brighton in the Premier League and although that hasn't happened yet, hopefully it will at the end of this season.'

The match will also see City come up against one of their own old boys in the form of Andrew Crofts, who left the Canaries to re-join Brighton last summer.

Crofts admits he looks very fondly upon his time in Norfolk. 'When it got announced I was buzzing about it,' he said.

'I had two great years at Norwich, two of the best years of my career, so I've got a lot to thank them for.

'I didn't fall out with anyone and I've got nothing but praise for the club.

'I was pleased to see that they had another great year in the Premier League last season.

'I know a lot of the boys still so I'm really looking forward to playing against them.'