Former Town striker James Norwood says he’s looking forward to making his return to Portman Road with Barnsley on Saturday.

The frontman was released by the Blues in the summer following three years in which he scored 28 goals in 57 starts and 29 sub appearances.

The 31-year-old is yet to score for Barnsley in three starts and three sub appearances and is aiming to open his account in front of his old fans.

"Football seems to be written for certain things and I can only hope that happens. For me, it's just getting that first goal and hopefully kicking on from there,” he told the Yorkshire Post.

“I have had messages from lots of Ipswich fans asking me not to score! But we will see how that goes.

“It is obviously a beautiful fixture for me, being so early. Obviously, it is my old team at a big stadium and there are doing well and it is a great opportunity for us.

“We cannot be afraid of what we are going to do and have got to set our stall out and try and get three points.

“I am not afraid of going back there. Their defence is good and they are known for being solid at the back. But I had a good time there and scored goals.

“I was probably hampered slightly by injury. But my goal record there was one in two and I went there to score goals and did that.

“I have not had too much banter [with Ipswich players]. They know what I am like as a player and I don't think they want to wind me up too much. But I am looking forward to seeing a few familiar faces and trying to show them what I did for them against them.”

Regarding Norwood’s start to his time at Oakwell, manager Michael Duff said: “It has been difficult for Nors. He has been as frustrated as anyone and knows he has not quite been 'at it' and has not had a pre-season. We are trying to get him fit.

“People don't see the other things - the outside of football - which have been going on as well. Hopefully, that will settle down a bit and we will get him fitter. He is proven at the level and has scored goals and is a handful.

“He is a bit more of a throwback and runs hard and knocks defenders over. Sometimes he might not like the most technical and cleanest, but there's different ways and we just want him to score goals.

“One thing he has been is good in the dressing room and is one of the reasons we brought him in. But we brought him into play, but he does add experience and has helped when we have had a couple of bumps on the road and is prepared to dig people out because he has been there and done it.”

Norwood will be speaking about his time with the Blues and Saturday’s game in an interview on Life’s a Pitch, which is live on BBC Radio Suffolk on Saturday ahead of the game (midday to 2pm).

Photo: Matchday Images

bluesince84 added 11:58 - Aug 26 Ha, so his manager is saying ‘ yeah yeah he's good at the stuff off the pitch' ….. suppose technically that makes a change for him :)
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Fatboy added 12:09 - Aug 26 Hopefully, any goals he scores on Saturday will be cancelled out by Conor Chaplin scoring against his old side. However, I can picture the scenario of Town being one up with 10 to play and Nors coming off the bench. Squeaky bum time!
3

pg888 added 12:11 - Aug 26 I for one hope he starts. Wouldn't be very difficult for someone to leave a late tackle in day a few words and get him sent off!
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d77sgw added 12:16 - Aug 26 Wonder what the odds are on Norwood getting a goal and a card...
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itfcasual added 12:18 - Aug 26 A frustrating player. Undoubtedly has talent but too often unavailable to play. In the end a volatile luxury.
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chepstowblue added 12:21 - Aug 26 I've always said of Norwood that ..."if he were in the opposing side I'd not be worried about him". I maintain that. Apologies if this comes back to haunt me/us. For all of his effort and hustle bustle, a player as agricultural as he shouldn't be causing us any issues.
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bluewarrior added 12:27 - Aug 26 Didn't like him as a town player - even more dislikeable now.
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Orraman added 13:02 - Aug 26 I am quite concerned about a coming together of Morsy and Norwood as will certainly happen if Norwood plays. Both play on a very short fuse and both are wind up merchants who will obviously know each other's flashpoints. We just cannot afford to lose Samy to a silly red card but no doubt KMcK has had a chat about the need to stay calm but will that be enough to disperse the red mist

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santiagosentme added 13:32 - Aug 26 Please don't waste anymore time on this guy as he isn't worth it at all. Bang average player who thought he was better than he was. Best thing he did was his WWE celebration gifs.
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Carberry added 13:35 - Aug 26 'We are trying to get him fit', say no more.
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ArnieM added 13:52 - Aug 26 Oh you can put your house on him scoring against us . He knew / knows where the back of the net is. Ashton / owners: manager just didn't want him in the club. Suspect this will be his last year at this level anyway . Good luck Nors, just not Saturday ok mate !
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gosblue added 14:21 - Aug 26 Hey Nors. Have you practiced your goal celebration……..for Tuesday night in the Pizza Cup v Lincoln. I'm sorry it didn't quite work out here but to paraphrase KMcK - We are looking for players of a certain character. All the best for the future after Saturday.
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blueboy1981 added 18:33 - Aug 26 A few Norwood critics will be having Squeaky Bums tomorrow ! - would rather see him in our Squad tomorrow than theirs … !!! Or indeed, for the rest of the Season. His game, has not been replaced in this Squad of ours !!
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have_a_word_with_him added 20:33 - Aug 26 Norwood had a very decent goalscoring record for us, at a time when our club was in an outright spiral of decline, and it's a shame there isn't more respect for that. I for one will be cheering his name but hoping he doesn't score.
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Ebantiass added 11:57 - Aug 27 You just know hes coming back to haunt us. Always liked him but he never really got cooking for us throughout his many years. Could be a lot tighter than some think. COME ON YOU BLUEs ⚽💙😁
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