 Hamilton was sacked in December 2000 with the side in relegation trouble, he was replaced by Nigel Worthington who guided them to a safe position of 15th with Russell making 47 appearances in 2000–01.At the end of the season Russell was linked with a move to East Anglia rivals Ipswich Town.He made 26 appearances in 2001–02 as Norwich reached the 2002 Football League First Division play-off Final where they lost on penalties to Birmingham City.