CHRIS LAKEY Young Canaries striker Chris Martin has moved up the pecking order at Carrow Road. The 18-year-old was on target for City in their FA Youth Cup defeat at Newcastle in midweek - another sign of his progress in the club's youth ranks.

CHRIS LAKEY

Young Canaries striker Chris Martin has moved up the pecking order at Carrow Road.

The 18-year-old was on target for City in their FA Youth Cup defeat at Newcastle in midweek - another sign of his progress in the club's junior ranks.

It's a progress that Grant is monitoring closely.

"He has been in my thoughts from the start, he has got great talent," said Grant, who missed the trip to St James' Park because he was working on transfer targets.

"Obviously with the FA Youth Cup he will be nearer to the first team now, the first team squad. He has earned that with his performances. It is not just what he did at St James' Park.

"I know what he has done in the games I have seen so he is definitely going to be round a d about the first-team squad more often than not now."

Martin's goal had given City an early lead, but three goals in 11 minutes leading up to half-time ended City's hopes for another year.

"By all accounts the boys played very well, I am very pleased with them," said Grant. "I said before I went, 'go there and enjoy the occasion, what a fantastic facility to play in'. They just didn't defend a couple of things properly."