Pilkington up to speed

Aidan Fitzmaurice

ANTHONY PILKINGTON says he's now up to speed with his Norwich City team-mates despite missing out on part of summer break because of his international duties with Ireland.

Pilkington and Wes Hoolahan were allowed report back for pre-season training with the Canaries after their team-mates as they had been on duty with Ireland in May and June, but the winger is now keen for the new term to begin.

"I was still playing three or four weeks into the pre-season break so in that respect coming back a little bit later hasn't made any real difference," he said, as Norwich prepare for life in the Championship next season.

"I wasn't really behind too much. Myself and Wes and Martin Olsson had done all the testing when we came back and we were just the same as the other lads.

"They just got a longer break.

"For me, I'm just taking things one step at a time and that means trying to get into the team and take it from there."