Former Premier League defender Shane Duffy said "sometimes emotions get the better of you" after apologising for posts in which he slammed fans of his own club. The Irish international has been absent for current club Norwich City this season thanks to a calf injury and the Canaries have struggled in his absence.

Norwich, who appointed Liam Manning as their new manager over the summer, lost to Derby County on Tuesday to make it four defeats in a row. They now sit inside the Championship's relegation places, and Duffy let rip at fans in a now-deleted social media outburst.

“Ok I’m annoyed. I get it, I actually get it. The abuse towards me I understand it! I promise you one thing this is heat [sic] changing room I’ve been involved in,” Duffy wrote in his since-deleted posts, which have been reported by various outlets.

"Your [sic] a k**b btw and I know your mates," he wrote in response to one fan. “Context on this your [sic] a g**p basically.”

Duffy, who has played Premier League football for Everton, Brighton and Fulham, was a regular for Norwich last season as they flirted with the play-off spots at times before finishing mid-table. He has yet to feature under new boss Manning, but spoke of his wider frustrations.

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"It’s been a tough period, and seeing the criticism towards the team has been hard," he wrote on Wednesday. "We have to accept the criticism right now. Everyone here cares a lot about performing well, and sometimes emotions get the better of you when things aren’t going as planned.

"My comment came out of frustration, not a lack of respect for the supporters — we really do value your passion and backing. I apologise for my comments."

Ahead of the Derby clash, Norwich boss Manning confirmed Duffy was close to a return to action. ""Shane trained this morning and looked good; we're thinking maybe this weekend for him and the same with Mathias Kvistgaarden," the manager said.

"We need to get the balance right. We'll have more options at the weekend but we mustn't be stupid or reckless if there's a chance of someone breaking down. We need bodies available to change the spot we're in."

Norwich's next match sees them head to Wales to face Swansea City on Saturday. Alan Sheehan's Swans are winless in their last three matches, losing at home to QPR on Wednesday, but still sit five points ahead of Norwich in 16th.

Speaking after the Derby defeat, Manning suggested more quality in the opposition box could have helped produce a very different result. "I thought we created lots of really good moments [in the first half]... but for all the good play you've got to be ruthless at the end of it," he said.

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