Norwich City’s scheduled pre-season opener at Stevenage next week has been cancelled due to emergency work on the pitch at the League One club.

Johannes Hoff Thorup’s squad were due to get their first public outing of the summer next Tuesday at the Lamex, but the Dane’s first game in charge will now be the trip to Northampton on July 13.

Thorup is believed to be happier to work with his players at Colney rather than find an alternative opening friendly fixture.

City released a brief statement confirming the cancellation on Wednesday lunchtime. It read: 

'Supporters who have purchased tickets will automatically be issued refunds. These should be processed within five working days.

'The club would like to apologise to all supporters for any inconvenience caused.'

Norwich will host Stevenage in the first round of the League Cup at Carrow Road on August 12, two days after their Championship opener at Oxford United.

The rest of City’s pre-season programme remains unchanged.

After the Northampton game, the Canaries will head to Belgium for a week that includes tune ups against Belgian champions, Club Brugge (July 17), and Standard Liege (July 20).

The following week brings a first Carrow Road friendly of the summer, against 1. FC Magdeburg (July 26).

The squad head out to Austria for another training week that will include a scheduled friendly, with an opponent yet to be announced, before wrapping up their pre-season plans at home to newly-promoted Bundesliga side, FC St. Pauli (Aug 3).