FANS have been urged to buy tickets in advance for Norwich City's pre-season friendly at Dereham Town as the Magpies have been 'inundated' with calls about the game.

FANS have been urged to buy tickets in advance for Norwich City's pre-season friendly at Dereham Town as the Magpies have been 'inundated' with calls about the game.

The Canaries take on the Ridgeons League side at Aldiss Park on Saturday, July 10, 3pm, and indications are it will be City's only local match when the whole first team squad is on show before the pre-season trip to Germany.

With a flurry of new signings already completed, supporters appear eager to ensure a possible early look at them.

Aldiss Park manager Ginny Barnes said: 'Tickets for the match are now on sale and I've been inundated with callers for tickets already, so we would advise supporters to get their tickets in advance of the match to avoid disappointment on the night, as this match could reach capacity.' Tickets cost �8 adults and �5 under 16s. Car park is �2 and gates open at 1pm.

They are available from Dereham Town Football Club at Aldiss Park, Norwich Road, (Tel: 01362 690460 - all major credit cards accepted). The club is open every day from 9am-5pm and there will also be three evenings - Thursday June 17, Monday June 21 and Monday June 28 - when tickets can be bought between 6pm and 9pm

They are also on sale from Birds Sport, Norwich Street, Dereham, Just Kitchenware, High Street, Dereham and Sportlink, Taverham Craft Centre, Fir Covert Rd, Taverham.

Work has been going on since the day after the last day of the season to prepare the pitch.

Over seeding work has been carried out and so far 40 tonnes of top soil has been laid. Groundsman Alan Hall has had to cope with extreme weather conditions and said: 'Ideally the new seed needs warm temperatures with regular rainfall. But the grass is now coming through and the pitch is in good condition.'

Dereham's other fixtures include home matches against Newport Pagnell on Saturday July 17 (3pm) and Soham Town Rangers on Friday July 30 (7.45pm). There are away matches at Fakenham Town on Thursday July 22 (7.45pm) and at Gorleston on Tuesday July 27 (7.45pm).

Dereham Town Football Club Sports and Leisure is holding its annual meeting on Monday, 7pm at Aldiss Park.