Southend United 0, Norwich City 0: Kyle Naughton showed glimpses of his Premier League quality on his Norwich debut in last night's friendly draw against Southend.

City boss Paul Lambert blooded Naughton for his 58 minutes in Norwich colours following the Tottenham loanee's recent arrival.

The club's seventh summer signing forged a pacy partnership with Elliott Bennett down the right flank at Roots' Hall in another useful fitness exercise for Lambert's squad.

The Scot again changed all ten outfield players as he strived to get invaluable game time into his squad ahead of the Premier League kick-off at Wigan on August 13.

Fit-again Adam Drury started after recovering from a calf injury but Elliott Ward and James Vaughan were again notable injury absentees.

The duo picked up knocks on the club's recent German tour with Lambert admitting after Tuesday's defeat at Crystal Palace that both players were not expected to feature this week.

Lambert decided to alter his tried and trusted midfield diamond formation from the off with David Fox and Bradley Johnson sitting in front of the back four.

Elliott Bennett and Andrew Surman offered the width with first half captain Wes Hoolahan operating in just a slightly withdrawn role off Steve Morison.

Ryan Hall volleyed well over Declan Rudd's bar in the first shot worthy of the name after a fairly pedestrian start from both sides in sweltering heat. Leon Barnett reacted sharply to block Anthony Grant after the imposing Bilel Mohsni had beaten Zak Whitbread on the edge of the Canaries' penalty box.

Naughton offered the first sample of his attacking adventure when he burst clear onto Fox's slide rule pass before picking out Bennett whose attempted step over was well read by Sean Clohessy.

Naughton then demonstrated his defensive quality with a clever interception to spring Bennett, but Glenn Morris was alert to drop on the former Brighton man's low driven cross.

United skipper Chris Barker was fortunate to escape with a sloppy intended back pass on 20 minutes which Hoolahan momentarily latched onto until home keeper Morris clawed the ball away from the Irishman.

Fox bravely threw himself at Hall's driven free kick after Johnson was caught in possession during a sloppy period for Lambert's side.

Morison's first time strike from 16 yards flew behind after good vision again from Hoolahan to pick out the big frontman just before the half hour mark.

Mohsni's sharp swivel and volley drifted wide of Rudd's left-hand post after the impressive Hall's set-up play fed the Frenchman.

Rudd went full length to parry Harris' vicious right footer from a tight angle with Southend continuing to enjoy the better of the early action.

Hoolahan finally tested Morris after drifting past Jemal Johnson but the United keeper was up to the test to push behind.

The ever influential Hoolahan then coaxed a rash challenge from Clohessy in the closing stages of the opening period – Fox bending a free kick over the four man wall but into Morris' chest.

Marc Tierney replaced Drury in the only half-time change from the Canaries. Surman's curler nestled on top of the net seconds after the restart following another counter triggered by Hoolahan.

The former Southampton midfielder then cut inside on his less favoured right foot but tested Morris again from 20 yards.

Barker was forced to take emergency action with Hoolahan sensing a chance to latch onto Tierney's hopeful through ball.

Lambert's appearance at the front of his technical area triggered a better spell of concerted possession from the visitors either side of the hour mark.

Johnson left his holding role to break onto Southend's back four, but over hit an intended cross for Morison lurking at the back post.

Clohessy rashly fired across the face of Rudd's six yard box after the raiding full back had burst in behind Tierney with Mohsni ready to pounce.

Russell Martin, Aaron Wilbraham and Chris Martin were sent on in the first wave of City reinforcements with new boy Naughton, Morison and the energetic Hoolahan making way.

Phase two saw the introduction of Simon Lappin, Andrew Crofts and Korey Smith just past the hour mark. Southend's main dangerman Mohsni powered a header onto the top of Rudd's bar during the spate of City subsitutions which culminated with the arrivals of Ritchie De Laet, George Francomb and Simeon Jackson.

Russell Martin claimed the captain's armband with the Scotland international tucked into a more central defensive role alongside De Laet who had impressed at Selhurst Park.

Jackson turned Luke Prosser before picking out Lappin who carved a first time effort over the small stand housing City's travelling band – sparking to ironic cheers from the Shrimpers' support.

Temperatures on a sweltering night in Essex was temporarily raised further when Russell Martin and the abrasive Mohsni briefly tangled –referee Deadman calling the duo together to settle their differences with a hand shake.

Rudd was forced off his line to punch clear with Moshni as ever an aerial danger.

The League Two club sensed a win on the night with United's midfield continuing to press high up the pitch. But Chris Martin had the final 'sighter' when he drilled a 20 yard free-kick at the dependable Morris in the closing stages.

• Southend: Morris, Clohessy, Hall (Leonard, 89), Mohsni, Grant, Harris, Johnson (N'Diaye, 69), Phillips, Prosser, Kalala (Sawyer, 77), Barker. Subs not used: Gilbert, Coughlan, Bentley, Asante.

• Norwich: Rudd, Whitbread (Francomb, 66), Naughton (R Martin, 58), Barnett (De Laet, 66), Drury, (Tierney, 45), Hoolahan (C Martin, 58), Surman (Lappin, 63), Fox (Crofts, 63), Johnson (Smith, 63), Morison (Wilbraham, 58), Bennett (Jackson, 66). Subs not used: Ruddy, Adeyemi, Holt.

• Referee: D Deadman (Cambs)