Coventry boss Chris Coleman just cannot wait to unleash his new front pairing on the Canaries tomorrow after securing the signature of long-term target Clinton Morrison on a two-year deal.
And it's certainly a strike partnership that will make the Championship sit up and take notice. If they click from day one, then Morrison and Freddy Eastwood could just fire the Sky Blues to where they want to be.
Morrison ? a former transfer target of Nigel Worthington ? agreed his switch to the West Midlands after his Crystal Palace contract expired and his new gaffer was certainly delighted to finally get his man after a long summer courtship.
“It's fantastic we've managed to get Clinton over the line – I'm very pleased to get it done and dusted because it's been going on for a long time,” said Coleman, speaking to the Coventry Telegraph.
“He's spent a lot of time with us and we've made no secret of the fact we wanted him to join because he's a proven goalscorer in the Championship and another example of us trying to add quality to the squad.
“The boy knows where the net is, certainly at this level – I think he was the sixth highest scorer in the league last season despite missing a lot of games.
“He also knows what the score is. He's outspoken, but in a very positive way – he's hard on himself and hard on his team-mates because he expects the best.”
After a difficult period of negotiations, Morrison is clearly delighted tie up his future. He can now go back to doing what he does best – scoring goals; although the 2,000-plus City supporters heading for the Ricoh Arena tomorrow will be hoping he won't have his shooting boots on for the visit of Glenn Roeder's men.
There is a school of thought that Morrison had got into a comfort zone at his beloved Palace. Whether Neil Warnock fancied him is debatable, but a fresh challenge could benefit the Tooting-born striker, especially if he has designs on getting back into the Republic of Ireland setup.
“I was never on trial here – it was always a case me coming to the club to see if I liked it and I told the manager that I did straight away,” said Coventry's new star signing.
“I thought the club had a good setup and a good bunch of lads and one of the things I wanted to do most was work for the manager so it's great to sign here. What I've seen so far has been brilliant and I've been really impressed.”
Morrison did admit, however, that he was not quite up to peak match fitness and City will be hoping and praying it takes him a while to find his feet.
But the 29-year-old will be pushing himself to the limit to ensure the Sky Blues get off to the best possible start.
“The lads started their pre-season two weeks earlier than me and I had a groin injury which put me back a bit but I've been back training for a week and although I don't feel as sharp as I should do, I'll give it my best. It's up to the manager if I play a part but I believe if I go out there against Norwich I will do well for the team and the fans.
“I'm definitely looking forward to linking up with Freddy but there are a lot of good strikers here with Leon Best, Robbie Simpson and Leon McKenzie.
“Whoever I play with I just want to help Coventry get back to the Premier League where they should be.”
With Morrison arriving at the Ricoh, it may mean ex-Canary McKenzie has to settle for a place on the bench as Coleman tries to accommodate all his front men.
But one hitman who certainly won't make tomorrow's clash is Leon Best, with the Nottingham Forest target out for up to five weeks with a knee problem.
“Leon has suffered a small problem with his medial ligament and he'll be out for between three and five weeks,” said the Sky Blues chief.
“It's a big blow for us because he has been looking very good during pre-season, showing his best form since I have been at the club, so we will miss him.
“We will have to give him enough time to get over the problem but I have no doubt that Leon will be back as soon as he possibly can.”
For the visitors, their starting XI will certainly look a whole lot different to the side that finished last season's campaign at Sheffield Wednesday.
With ten new arrivals on board, this is certainly 'Team Glenn' now. And most of those additions should see some match action at some point or another tomorrow afternoon.
At the back, a brand new partnership has been born in the shape of Dejan Stefanovic and Celtic loanee John Kennedy and Roeder will be hoping Ryan Bertrand comes through after suffering a knock in the 5-1 drubbing at home to Spurs. For the right-back gig, Elliot Omozusi looks to have got the nod ahead of Jon Otsemobor.
In midfield – with David Bell still sidelined with that ankle injury – Lee Croft, Mark Fotheringham, Sammy Clingan and Wes Hoolahan will be hoping they have done enough to start. But Luke Chadwick, last weekend's goal hero Darel Russell and Matty Pattison will all have something to say about that.
With some impressive pre-season form under his belt, Jamie Cureton looks like one of the only certain starters. His striking partner, however, is anyone's guess with Arturo Lupoli and Omar 'OJ' Koroma vying for that second berth.
Tom Haylett
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