CANARY YELLER
I want to make Norwich pay for getting Rudd of me says Declan
DECLAN RUDD is gunning for revenge over the club that got rid of him four years ago.
The Preston shot-stopper played six seasons as Norwich’s back-up keeper between 2009 and 2016.
North End travel to Carrow Road today and for Rudd, who is from nearby Diss, the Canaries will always be in his heart. But he insists that will mean nothing when the first whistle blows. He said: “It definitely isn’t difficult t to want to beat them.
“There’s always the thought in the back of your mind that you were there and they got rid of you.
“But it was a great time when I was involved with the club. It’s my boyhood club. It’s a great game and we will be going there looking for the win.”
A thousand home fans will be present as part of a test event to see if crowds can come back soon.
Rudd (right, during his Norwich days) added: “You’ll be able to hear that Norfolk accent for sure and it’s obviously good to have some fans back in.
“It’s one of the first games I always look for when the fixtures come out. I have a lot of family and friends who are Norwich fans – and it means I don’t have to drive 250 miles to see them.”
The game sees another Carrow Road return for Preston boss Alex Neil, who was in charge of the Canaries between 2015 and 2017.
The Scot is hoping to take advantage of the fact Norwich are still getting used to life back in the second tier after a season in the Premier League.
Neil, who guided them to promotion in his first season, said: “I always think it’s tough when you come back down from the Premier League. It’s difficult changing that mentality, as you’re used to losing games.
“They have one of the strongest squads and have probably spent more than they did when they went up. I think back to my time there really fondly.”
In their Championship opener City won 1-0 at Huddersfield, where City hitman Teemu Pukki provided the assist for Adam Idah (below, right).
The prolific Pukki has made it clear he would be happy to share the goals so long as Norwich prosper.
New £ 5million Canaries striker
Jordan Hugill will be itching to get off the mark and net against his old side, with Finland international strikerPukki saying: “I like him and I think we’ll all get a lot of minutes this year. We need everyone to be ready whenever we get the chance to play.
“There is of course competition because everyone wants to play and everyone wants to score goals. But I think all of us are team players so whenever the team is winning we are happy, even if the other guy scores.”