Steven Naismith has pledged to keep his head down and force his way back into the plans of Norwich City manager Alex Neil.

The Scotland international forward has not been involved in any of City's last three Championship games, all of which have been wins.

However the 30-year-old started and scored – albeit a scuffed, fortunate finish – in a 2-0 win at his former club Everton in the EFL Cup third round in midweek.

'I think I've just got to keep my head down and if I get my opportunities then I get opportunities,' Naismith said. 'But I can't do any more than I have been and I'll continue to do that.'

The Scot was signed from Everton for around £8.5million in January but has struggled for form, with his goal taking his tally to three in 19 matches.

Sunderland were strongly linked with a deadline day move for Naismith but it is understood the player wasn't interested in making the switch.

'It was a bit of a shock to myself to not be involved,' Naismith said of his limited involvement on the pitch since deadline day. 'But that's football and you've just got to keep on working hard and that's what I'll do.'

Asked what City boss Neil had said to him about the situation, Naismith replied. 'He's not mentioned it, so it's just one of those things. I think like everyone else you've got to work hard and do what you can.'

The night was a memorable one for the former Toffees player though, receiving loud appreciation both before the match and after he had scored against the club he scored 25 goals in 123 games for.

'I wasn't going to celebrate initially but then they started clapping me and that was a special moment,' he said. 'It was an amazing place for me to be for the time I was here and I've got some great memories, it really shows the bond I've had with them.'