Martin signed a new contract at Carrow Road last week

Norwich City full-back Russell Martin has revealed how he fought a rare illness at the end of last season.

After Saturday's 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace the 24-year-old told BBC Radio Norfolk how he had continued playing.

"I don't want any sympathy or anything but it was ulcerative colitis, it was quite heavy," he said.

"I spoke to a specialist and he wanted me to have some time off but I couldn't because of the rigours of what we were going through [in League One]."

Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation of the large intestine and is thought to affect over 100,000 people in the UK.

"It was just a case of training and managing it, thankfully in the summer we had a bit of time off and managed to get rid of it, it's not a very nice thing," he added.

Martin is the only ever-present member of Paul Lambert's Championship team this season, scoring four goals during their rise to second in the table.

He signed a new contract with the club on Friday, securing his Carrow Road future until 2014.

Despite helping the team lift the League One title last season Martin says he was not at his best, but he gives credit to Lambert for helping him improve as a player.

606: DEBATE A player who has really developed this season. Contender for the player of the season, certainly. ncgandy

"I didn't play my best stuff but I thought I settled in OK, this season it's gone really well, I'm enjoying it and hopefully showing people what I can do and keep improving," he said.

"The gaffer's got a great habit of that, he's improved everyone he's brought in, he's brought in a few who haven't played much at this level and have proved that they can.

"This season I've been free of it and healthy, and it's a massive thing going into games feeling fit and healthy and confident, I'm loving every minute of it."

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