Garrido excited by City reunion

The 27-year-old is currently on loan at Norwich from Lazio after spending three years at the Etihad.

Garrido has been one of the most consistent performers for Chris Hughton's Canaries this season and has drawn plaudits for his displays at left-back.

The former Spain Under-21 international left City shortly after the signing of Aleksandar Kolarov and was a member of the squad during the transition in ownership that saw Sheikh Mansour complete a takeover.

"I have got good memories, everything changed so fast from one year to another," Garrido said of his time at Man City.

"I had three years there and have friends there so it is going to be a new experience but as soon as the referee starts the game I will do my best to beat them.

"It was a special situation because when I arrived there they signed seven or eight players but then the owner changed with new ideas and new staff.

"It was a good thing to just be involved in trainin g and playing with names like (Carlos) Tevez, they are top class players - it makes you grow as a player."

Hughton's side head into the match with the reigning champions on the back of successive defeats to West Brom and Chelsea.

Before the festive period Norwich had been unbeaten since travelling to face the Blues on October 6 and Garrido is hoping they can return to winning ways on Saturday.

He said: "It was very important to be unbeaten for nine games and now we have a difficult game and we will do our best just to keep some points.

"All of the teams are trying to win as many games as possible - everyone has to work hard and Saturday we play another game. It is at home so we can play to our strengths."

After a tricky away trip to the Hawthorns and entertaining both Chelsea and Man City, Norwich have had a tough run of fixtures but Garrido is still backing the side to pick up a result if they can play their best.

"That is the calen dar that we got," he said. "Afterwards we have got West Ham which will be another difficult game and then we have a game in the FA Cup so it is going to be tough but we are ready and have been doing the same thing we are used to.

"We have to try and be focused on what we have to do and run more than them and they have to not have a good day but at the moment we are doing well at Carrow Road so it is difficult for anyone to come here."

The former Real Sociedad defender signed on-loan for Norwich in August and, as well as the option of extending the deal, Garrido is eyeing a permanent move to Norfolk.

"I have told may times I'm happy and have settled down so fast here with team-mates and the fans so it has been great," he said.

"We have to keep going the way we are going and why not have a permanent deal in the near future?"

Hughton took charge at Carrow Road in the summer after Paul Lambert left to manage Aston Villa.

He has guided th e Canaries to 25 points at the half-way stage of the season and agreed with Garrido that the recent fixture list has not been kind to the club.

"They are tough games but we knew that and all you hope is that you are in good shape going into those games and we have been in good shape," he said.

"We have managed to get a fair few points leading up to this Christmas period and have been right in it in both of these games.

"What I'm pleased with is that we had a tough game at West Brom, a side that are doing really well, and the quality of Chelsea and we have made them really tight games.

"Although we have lost both games we lost them by the odd goal and in both games, quite possibly we could have got more."