Defender Michael Nelson is determined to reclaim his place in the Norwich team after making an unexpected return.

The summer signing from Hartlepool was forced to miss seven games with a foot injury sustained in the defeat at MK Dons on September 14. But he was back on the bench for Saturday`s 1-0 victory over Swindon, coming on as an 89th-minute replacement for Korey Smith.

He told the club`s official website: "It was a bit of a surprise to be straight on the bench and definitely to get straight back on after not training a great deal and not having minutes under my belt in the reserves.

"But I am over the moon to be back involved in training. To actually get on the pitch, even though it was only a couple of minutes, it was nice to get back out there."

Nelson continued his recovery with a run-out for the reserves as they drew 1-1 with their Ipswich counterpart at Portman Road, Cody McDonald`s opener being cancelled out by substitute Ronan Murray.

He added: "I've been though it before where I've been out of a side and you have to be a bit patient and play yourself back in. But there are reserve games coming up and hopefully I can prove myself there and prove myself in training in front of the manager and do well enough to get in the side again."