Ruddy and Surman have both joined from Premier League clubs

Norwich City's latest recruits John Ruddy and Andrew Surman see no reason why their new club cannot challenge for promotion from the Championship.

The Canaries have bolstered their squad with six new signings this summer.

Surman, 23, told BBC Radio Norfolk: "I think we're expecting to take the Championship almost by storm.

"Our aim is to win it, there's no point trying to set our goals any lower. We want to win as many games as we can and get as high up the league as we can."

Paul Lambert's men have just returned to the Championship after a 12-month stay in League One but Surman has high hopes for the season.

"You have to be positive," the former Wolves midfielder added.

"You can tell the manager believes in the players and that can only rub off on them.

"It would be no easy feat getting promoted from the Championship, it's obviously a level up from League One, but we've got good enough players."

Former Everton goalkeeper Ruddy, who - like Surman - has made the switch from a Premier League side, is singing from the same hymn sheet when it comes to City's prospects this season.

"We can achieve anything we want," he said.

"We've brought some good players in and built on the squad that did so well last year, so I don't see why we can't push for another promotion.

"The manager's ambitious, as are the players and it's in our hands so we can go as far as we want."

Lambert has also added midfielders Andrew Crofts and David Fox and defenders Steven Smith and Elliott Ward to his League One title-winning squad.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version