IN football hell hath no fury like a player scorned.Norwich City are finding that out to their cost with Danny Haynes taking personal delight in reminding them of what they could have had, every time he plays against them.

By Derek Davis

IN football hell hath no fury like a player scorned.

Norwich City are finding that out to their cost with Danny Haynes taking personal delight in reminding them of what they could have had, every time he plays against them.

Rejected by Charlton as an Academy boy Haynes played for Norwich City Under-19s in a friendly against Birmingham City in March 2004 but was deemed not good enough, even though he had scored against them at youth level for the Addicks. A couple of weeks later, also against Birmingham City, he played for Ipswich and the coaches there saw enough in him to adopt him into their Academy.

With fire in his belly and revenge in his heart Haynes waited until November to start his one-man crusade against the old enemy and grabbed a goal in the 1-1 draw. Things went even better in the game at Playford Road three months later when he scored the only goal of the match.

Although he didn't net when the Under-18s clashed at Portman Road in front of more than 3,000 supporters, Haynes did set up Billy Clarke's winner and got back to scoring ways when he stepped up to the reserves.

The big test came when he was thrown on at Carrow Road as a substitute for Gavin Williams and set about winning the game for the Blues.

Although struggling with ligament damage he limped his way into the box and with the help of a flailing arm and Gary Doherty deflection netted the winner, which was later verified by the Football League as his goal.

There was no doubting his brace against the Canaries at Portman Road in November during the 3-1 win and his legendary status with Blues fans grew.

His proud boast of always scoring against Norwich may not be totally accurate, but with 10 goals in eight games at all levels, he strikes fear into the Yellow and Greens from Norfolk.

Haynes said: “It hurt being released by Charlton but I was determined to get another club and I thought Norwich would be a good club and I have a friend who still plays for them.

“They didn't want me but Ipswich did and it has gone from there. I love playing against Norwich for Ipswich. There is that thing about them rejecting me but it is more about what it means for Ipswich supporters.

“Even though I'm not from around here I know what the rivalry is liked and I love scoring against Norwich.”

After showing City that they were wrong not to take him on, he now has to prove to manager Jim Magilton that he is worthy of a start.

The Blues boss challenged him to show he is more than just a supersub but Haynes didn't make the same impact against Sheffield Wednesday from the first whistle as he has done so effectively from the bench.

Haynes has banged in seven goals this season, all after coming off the bench, and there will be understandably nervous glances from the Norwich bench when Haynes strips off on Sunday to go on at Carrow Road.

Magilton is not giving away any secrets as to his starting line-up but makes it clear that he will unleash Haynes at some point.

Magilton said: “Danny always does well against Norwich and let's hope that continues on Sunday.

“Danny had an opportunity last week when he started. If he had gone on after 60 minutes he would have had the bit between his teeth. It has been a learning curve for him and he has to be able to take that criticism.

“He is maturing and of all the players he has made massive strides and is still learning.”

Magilton believes that Haynes' stint at the New Den with former coach Willie Donachie earlier in the season helped the 19-year-old enormously.

He added: “The loan system has worked wonders for us. Danny went to Milwall with huge expectations after doing so here well last year.

“He seems to have taken everything in his stride and I didn't see that hunger but when he came back from Millwall he was a different person. He seemed to have grown a couple of inches and developed.

“He has worked extremely hard on his game and we have seen the benefits of that.”

No doubt Haynes will be unleashing some more of that pent-up fury against the old enemy on Sunday, while Town will be glad they spotted the potential in the pacy prospect.