Russell is hoping for a first team spot against Huddersfield on Saturday

Norwich City midfielder Darrel Russell says he will not change the way he plays after returning from a three-match ban.

The 29-year-old was controversially sent off during the Canaries' defeat by Southampton last month and is ready to return on Saturday.

Russell told BBC Radio Norfolk: "I'm not going to change the way I play, I've got to go in and win balls."

Norwich travel to play-off contenders Huddersfield Town this weekend.

Russell has been a big part of Paul Lambert's first-team plans this season and was disappointed to spend a few weeks on the sidelines after a dubious red card.

"I was already favourite to win the ball and the lad ran into me from behind. Somehow the referee decided to send me off," said Russell.

"I'm extremely disappointed. It cost me playing time but thank goodness the team's done marvellously well in my absence."

If every time there's a ball to be won I start thinking 'Am I going to get sent off?' it would take a lot away from my game Darrel Russell

Russell recounted the days leading up to the Southampton game and how he had been praised for keeping out of the referee's book this season

"We had some people on the training ground the Friday before I got the red card. One of them asked me why I had been so good this year in not getting sent off," he added.

"I don't know if it jinxed me or what, but I said then, if every time there's a ball to be won I were to start thinking 'Am I going to get sent off?', it would take a lot away from my game."

The Canaries have won their last three matches without Russell and manager Paul Lambert faces the difficult decision of whether to stick with an unchanged side or recall the 29-year-old.

"I'm hungry and I'd like to show what I can do for the rest of the season but there's not many games left," said Russell.

"I don't think anyone has a right to play. You've got to prove yourself in every game you play and in my last game I didn't last long.

"Hopefully you do enough in training and get given a chance, then take it with both hands and retain that place as long as you can."

But the seasoned campaigner says it has not been easy sitting on the sidelines watching Norwich City rack up the wins.

The Canaries are now four points clear at the top of the table and despite the side edging closer to their target of promotion, it has been a frustrating time for Russell.

"I think the fans have probably seen me jumping around like mad, especially during the Southend game. I was going crazy. I saw the first goal and by the time I got down in the tunnel I was jumping around with the stewards," he said.

Russell is not the only contender for a return to action this weekend.

Left-back Adam Drury played for an hour for the reserves earlier this week as he recovers from a thigh injury and will travel with the squad.

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