Chris Hughton hopes break in Abu Dhabi can revive Norwich City's Premier League fortunes

The Norwich City manager intends to make the most of the club's four-day trip to Abu Dhabi.

Norwich City manager Chris Hughton watches his side from the touchline.
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Norwich City manager Chris Hughton hopes a warm-weather training break in Abu Dhabi will help kick-start his side's Premier League campaign.

The Canaries laboured through a goalless home draw against Fulham Saturday, which extended their unbeaten run to three league games but meant Hughton's side have now scored just once in the last six outings.

After their FA Cup run was halted by a shock 1-0 home defeat to non-league Luton Town, Norwich must wait a two weeks before they are back in action against Everton at Carrow Road.

Hughton intends to make the most of the club's four-day trip to Abu Dhabi.

"It has been difficult for us because Norfolk has been hit a bit heavier than most with the weather, when we have had quite a few days where we have struggled to get them onto the training pitch," he said.

"So we are looking forward to a good few days training on some decent surfaces."

The Norwich manager accepts there will be plenty to work on, most notably how to turn spells of possession into goal-scoring opportunities.

"We have had periods of playing good attacking football and being solid at the back, as well as being open," said Hughton, who had guided his team to a superb 11-match unbeaten league run through from mid-October until just before Christmas.

"At the moment, we are certainly looking more solid as a team, but probably just lacking the flare qualities in that final third."

Norwich were forced to do without captain Grant Holt after the striker suffered a freak back spasm on the morning of the match.

Hughton handed a home debut to deadline-day signing Luciano Becchio, who worked hard in the lone-forward role, but had few clear openings after scuffing an early shot straight at Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

The Norwich manager, though, has every confidence that the Argentine forward will put the ball in the back of the net sooner rather than later - if his team can find the right supply line.

"Becchio is a strong player and good in the air, someone who relies on the service," Hughton said. "If he gets that in and around the box, he can score goals."

Norwich also brought in Sierra Leone forward Kei Kamara during the January window, with international clearance on a loan move from Major League Soccer having come through early last week.

While Hughton accepts it will take the 28 year old some time to work on his match fitness, the signs are positive following an energetic late cameo role against Fulham.

"For us it is about getting Kamara up to speed, but I liked what I saw and he certainly will give us a different dimension," the Norwich manager said.

* Press Association

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