Ryan Bennett vows to work hard to regain his Norwich City starting place
Ryan Bennett wins a header during the EFL Cup win at Everton. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Norwich City defender Ryan Bennett has vowed to work hard to reclaim his starting berth, after making late cameos recently.
The former Peterborough United centre-back has found himself behind captain Russell Martin, Timm Klose and Sebastian Bassong in the pecking order, but is determined to use the international break to stake his claim to a place in Alex Neil's starting line-up.
'All I can do is keep training hard and hope that the manager calls on me,' the 26-year-old said. 'It's hard watching from the sidelines.'
Bennett has found himself being the man Neil turns to when a game needs closing out, however he is keen to push for a start.
He added: 'It isn't a role I ideally want, but if that's where the manager decides to put me, it's up to me to do my absolute best in it.'
The City defender was guest of honour at the opening of a brand new 3G pitch at Flegg High School – the school he attended as a lad.
The £700,000 football hub was made possible thanks to a £405,446 grant from the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund.
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The grant has enabled Flegg High, in partnership with Norfolk County FA, to build a 3G artificial grass pitch as well as a new changing pavilion.
The site represents Norfolk FA's third Football Development Centre and their first rural facility in the county – and Bennett was impressed with what he saw.
'I would have given everything for something like this when I was here,' he said.
'We used to play on either concrete or an old pitch with barely any grass, so it would have been unbelievable to have it.
'A lot has changed at the school since I came here – definitely for the better.'
