Ruel Fox expects a game in the best attacking traditions when two of his former clubs meet in the Premier League at Carrow Road on Saturday.

The speedy forward was a star in Norwich City teams under Dave Stringer and Mike Walker that were renowned for their adventurous style of play.

And after 25 goals in 219 senior games for the Canaries, he earned a �2.25m move to Newcastle United in 1994, where manager Kevin Keegan favoured a similar approach and thrust Fox into a side that boasted the attacking talents of Peter Beardsley, David Ginola and Les Ferdinand. In a year and a half with the Magpies, he played 70 times and scored 14 goals before joining Tottenham.

In Fox's one full season with Newcastle, they finished sixth in the top flight, while at Norwich he sampled the heady heights of third place in 1992-93.

He says both of his former clubs have impressed him greatly this season.

'From what I've seen on the TV highlights, Norwich are playing quite an open style that reminds me of when we were having a good run and playing in Europe. There seems to be a freedom about their play,' he said.

'What I like is that the manager, Paul Lambert, backs his players and they're playing for him because of that. He doesn't criticise or pick out individuals and it helps brings the team together.'

Fox is also delighted to see former team-mate Ian Culverhouse playing a key role in City's success.

'I'm a firm believer in having that connection with the old players at the club – it worked when I was playing at Norwich and I think it's very important,' he said. 'Ian was one of the many unsung heroes at Norwich and I was very fortunate to play with him. You don't always appreciate a player like that at the time.'

Fox sees a similar sense of unity at St James' Park with Alan Pardew's team currently sixth in the table.

'They're not all household names but there are some experienced players there,' he said. 'People might have thought they would struggle this season but Alan Pardew seems to have the same thought processes. They're a tight unit in the same way with great team spirit and they are reaping their rewards.'

Fox, 43, is chairman of Whitton United, unbeaten so far this season in Ridgeons League Division One, while he works as a personal fitness trainer and runs boot camps.

But he hopes to get to Carrow Road, saying: 'It will be the first time I've seen them live in two or three years.

'Norwich are very strong at home, I expect a very open game and there will be goals – but I have a foot in each camp so I'm going for 2-2.'