Holt joined Norwich from Shrewsbury 12 months ago

Norwich City boss Paul Lambert is still unsure striker Grant Holt will be ready for the start of the new season.

The 29-year-old's summer preparations have been hindered by a thigh injury as he tries to regain match fitness.

Lambert told BBC Radio Norfolk: "He's doing OK, he's got better since the last week or so.

"We'll have to keep monitoring him and hope he's OK, but he's still not 100% match fit because he hasn't played much football."

Wednesday night's goalless draw at Lincoln was the third friendly the centre-forward has missed ahead of the new campaign.

Lambert revealed that last term's top scorer has been training by himself in a bid to be fit to face Watford on 7 August, and the City boss said he will wait as long as he can before ruling Holt out of his opening day squad.

606: DEBATE I have a feeling it will be Martin and Jackson's season in the spotlight. Holt is an excellent player but I cannot see him being so prolific this season Northamptonncfc

"A week's a long time in football, we'll wait and see and I'll decide from there," he said.

However the Canaries manager is not overly concerned about losing the man who scored 30 goals in his maiden season at Carrow Road.

He could turn to new signing Simeon Jackson to partner fellow striker Chris Martin, while he also has the raw talent of Oli Johnson in reserve.

He said: "Jackson will be terrific for us, but Chris Martin is on top of his game at the moment.

"Oli's young but he gives us something different, but I'm happy with the firepower we've got."

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