Zema is given a last chance

[Huckerbys right foot]

Norwich City have handed injury-plagued striker Zema Abbey an opportunity to extend his career at Carrow Road.

The 27-year-old frontman, whose contract expired at the end of the season, has been offered a new short-term deal by manager Nigel Worthington.

If Abbey accepts it he will return to the club for pre-season training and will then have three months to prove himself before the club makes a final decision on his future.

The popular striker hasn't played since suffering a second serious knee injury in the space of two years at Sheffield United last August, and will have to prove he has fully recovered from that setback to stand a chance of being part of Worthington's Premiership squad.

“We had to do what was right for Zema, but we also had to do what was right for Norwich City and I think we've done that by offering him a three-month contract,” said Worthington. “The lad has had some terrible luck with injuries and now he has recovered he deserves a chance to show what he can do.

“If he accepts the offer he will return for pre-season with all the other lads and we'll be able to monitor his progress before making a decision about his long-term future.”

Abbey was Worthington's first signing when he joined the Canaries from Cambridge United for £350,000 in December 2000 and was just beginning to establish himself as a first-team regular when, the following September, he went down in agony in a match at Rotherham with damaged cruciate ligaments in his right knee, ending his season.

After playing catch-up during the 2002-3 campaign, Abbey picked up a similar injury – this time to his other knee – during a game at Sheffield United last August, again ending his season.

It was a shattering blow, but again his recuperation went to plan, with his positive attitude impressing everyone at the club.

Now he has got the chance to prove himself all over again, either to City or to potential suitors if his present employers decide against offering him a full-time deal.

“Zema has worked really hard since he picked up the injury and was joining in with us towards the end of the season,” explained Worthington.

“Now he needs to build up his fitness and play a few games and he's got the opportunity to do that here.”

Abbey, who has scored eight goals in 63 appearances for City, would be within his rights to look elsewhere for a long-term deal – although his injury record would be sure to count against him if he went down that route. The player was unavailable for comment yesterday.