Smith signed a two-year deal with City in the summer

Full-back Steven Smith has returned to full training knowing he has a battle on his hands to break into Paul Lambert's Norwich City side.

The Scot, 25, damaged ankle ligaments in pre-season, allowing Adam Drury to accommodate the left-back berth.

And Smith told BBC Radio Norfolk: "That's the tough part, the boys are doing really well and deserve to keep their place.

"It's up to the boys coming back from injury to fight for their place."

While Smith's ankle has fully recovered the former Rangers defender is behind his team-mates when it comes to match fitness.

"If you asked me today I'd play tomorrow, but being realistic I haven't played for eight weeks and in pre-season I only played 45 minutes," he said.

"I think the adrenaline would get you through the first couple of games but realistically I would need a couple of matches before I'm ready.

"But if the manager said to me today 'can you play?' I'd say yes."

It is unlikely Lambert will call upon the services of Smith in the near future with Drury looking solid in the Canaries' back-four.

But that has not stopped the City boss helping his summer signing through the task of finding his match fitness.

"He's been great. He tries to get you to be positive," Smith added.

"Sometimes it's tough, you've just moved to a new club and you're missing the first seven or eight weeks, but you've got to remain positive."

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