Dereham Town are ready to welcome Norwich City's first team squad to Aldiss Park on Saturday, ko 3pm, with Magpies' manager Matt Henman anticipating the appearance of new summer signings on both sides.

Dereham Town are ready to welcome Norwich City's first team squad to Aldiss Park on Saturday, ko 3pm, with Magpies' manager Matt Henman anticipating the appearance of new summer signings on both sides.

“To kick our pre-season off with a game against Norwich City is fantastic for all the staff and players at the club.

“This year it provides even more excitement for the fact that we will be playing their first team squad as they begin gearing up for their return to the Championship.

“I'm sure they will bring some of their new signings and from our own point of view we will have some new faces in the squad with the return of Shaun Marshall in goal and Gary Starling who has also returned to the club from Mattishall. There will also be one or two more players who we are confident of signing between now and then.

“Whilst it undoubtedly says a great deal about our facilities and hospitality, the fact that Norwich are returning to Aldiss Park also, I believe, it says a great deal about the way our team plays and conducts itself on the pitch,” said Henman.

“Norwich know that they will get a reasonable test, that our players have a good level of fitness, and just as importantly there won't be anyone out to prove a point or making any silly tackles.

“The fitness thing is always dilemma. Whilst we want to be ready for Norwich to give a good account of ourselves, the real issue is to get fit for August 7 when the league fixtures start. So we'll have four sessions prior to the game and I'm sure that the natural fitness of our young squad will take care of

itself.

“Personally, as a Norwich fan and having chased Craig Bellamy all over Aldiss Park several years ago when they came down, I'm looking forward to watching this one from the dugout and soaking up as much as I can from their manager and staff.

“We're always trying to improve the professionalism of how we operate so to see how Norwich City prepare and perform in the game is very important to us and I'm sure we will try to have an eye on things like their warm-ups and recovery techniques as well as looking after ourselves,” said the Dereham manager.

“So all in all it should be a great day for everyone and by the way ticket sales are going it should be a fantastic atmosphere as well.”

Admission prices are �8 adults, 35 under 16. Car parking within the Aldiss Park complex is �2 per car, gates open 1pm.

Tickets and car parking passes are available from Aldiss Park either in person or calling 01362 690460 for car payments.

Birds Sport & Outdoor, Norwich Street, Dereham; Just Kitchenware, High Street, Dereham; Sportlink, Taverham Garden & Craft Centre, Norwich are also selling tickets.