As far as Russell Martin is concerned, Norwich City have already made one signing during the January transfer window – and he may well be in first-team action soon.

Sebastien Bassong was due to be back training with his Canaries colleagues this week following a lengthy loan spell helping Watford to one place and one point above his parent club in the Championship's promotion race.

Now the Cameroon international and City's 2012-13 player of the season is back at Norwich and following talks with manager Alex Neil, back in the first-team fold.

'He's our player at the end of the day, he's done well at Watford and he comes back into the dressing room where it will be totally fine,' said City skipper Martin.

'He will get on with it and he will come and train, he'll be a good addition for us between now and the end of the season. It'll be like having a new signing in the building.

'The manager has spoken to him and they've spoken to each other, Seb's ready to come back and the manager is ready for him to come back in.

'So let's hope he comes back in and does as well as he has for Watford, and hopefully kicks us on towards promotion.'

City are actually only one point worse off than they were after 26 games of their promotion from the Championship four seasons ago. Now, like then, City are just hitting the time when they need to kick on – starting with Saturday's clash against high-flying Brentford at Carrow Road.

'We're right in amongst it,' added Martin. 'I don't know if it's because of where we are or that we're a one-club city, but I think at times this season people have been a bit down on us and a bit negative. There's been a lot of cynicism at times from certain people and certain areas, and it's a bit disappointing as a player, a bit disconcerting, because the effort has always been there and some performances have been really good.

'We've been a whisker away from getting some really good results, but I think it's because of the strength of the squad we've got, the quality, I can understand people's frustrations.

'We are really not far away and we've got 20-odd games left. Now is the time and I remember this time last time we got promoted, was when we really kicked into gear and we didn't look back.

'So now is the time to do that. We're eight points off the top, where we want to be. As long as we get promoted, I couldn't care less where we finish. But that's the aim, it's still the aim and has always been the aim.

'There will be ups and downs between now and the end of the season but I really don't think at times it's been as bad as people have made out and now is the time for positivity.'

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