DAVID Norris will be claiming yesterday's first minute goal as his own, although he is unlikely to be credited with the goal once the video is reviewed.

Carl Marston

DAVID Norris will be claiming yesterday's first minute goal as his own, although he is unlikely to be credited with the goal once the video is reviewed.

Norris celebrated when helping to sweep home Jack Colback's cross after just 20 seconds of the 1-1 draw at Leicester, although the ball also deflected in off left-back Ryan McGivern.

But regardless of whose name is finally etched in the official records, Norris was happy to come through his first 90 minutes of football of the season, following his knee injury on the opening day at Coventry.

"I got a nick on it. The ball hit his (McGivern's) leg last, but I thought it was going in anyway," insisted Norris.

"I'd definitely like to claim the goal as mine, of course I would.

"We've had a habit of scoring early goals in some recent matches, but we really need to get that second goal.

"I think we just need a bit more self-belief now. Looking back, I'm sure we'll consider this to be a good point.

"It's a big hurdle for me to play the full 90 minutes. I've had a couple of 55-minute appearances, and I'm feeling good. The knee is OK.

"It's been a long time out for me," confirmed Norris.

Town had certainly miss the presence of tough-tackling Norris in the centre of the pack, during the first half of the season, with manager Roy Keane struggling to find a foil for Grant Leadbitter.

The likes of Liam Trotter, Owen Garvan, Alan Quinn, Colin Healy, Jaime Peters and Jack Colback have all operated in central midfield at some stage of the campaign, but the Norris-Leadbitter partnership will be a hard one to break up.

"I didn't really have may setbacks in my return to fitness," continued Norris.

"I was so eager to get to the next step, but thankfully I kept being reined in by the physio and the rest of the coaching staff.

"I've still got back as quickly as expected, even though there weren't any reserves games to play in.

"I have no problem in playing alongside Grant (Leadbitter). He's a good player, and there's plenty for us to play for in the second half of the season.

"I think we're knitting together as a team," concluded Norris.