Russell has scored twice this season - after netting five times last term

Norwich's Darel Russell has revealed his surprise at how hard playing up front is after scoring the equaliser against Birmingham on Saturday.

The 27-year-old former Stoke attacking midfielder has been playing as a second striker in recent weeks.

He BBC Radio Norfolk: "To be honest, it's a lot more hard work than in midfield, I think your body gets used to a certain type of running.

"Up there it's a lot of sprinting. By the end I was struggling to walk."

With Roeder desperate to find a powerful striker to play alongside either Jamie Cureton or Arturo Lupoli, Russell found himself taking the mantle after ending pre-season as the club's top scorer.

He has now scored twice in the Championship this season, and revealed that Roeder has been helping him prepare for his role.

"As a striker you've got the pressure of getting the balls in the back of the net, you know, he mentioned that, and that we have to be making the runs and that he's relying on us.

"When you miss in goalscoring positions, it can be disappointing for everyone, as well as the team, the defenders are keeping it out at one end, we have to put it in at the other, so I'm glad I did my job."