City youngster Dan Adshead was inspired by Luke Matheson’s heroics following the Canaries’ supporter’s League Cup strike for Rochdale at Manchester United.

%image(14576561, type="article-full", alt="Norwich City's U23s midfielder Dan Adshead speaks ahead of EFL Trophy clash vs Crawley Town. Picture: Tony Thrussell")

City youngster Dan Adshead was inspired by Luke Matheson's heroics following the Canaries' supporter's League Cup strike for Rochdale at Manchester United.

Adshead, who joined City from Dale in the summer, grew up with Matheson in their academy at Spotland and was delighted to see the 16-year-old equalise at Old Trafford before Rochdale went down to defeat.

Despite losing, Rochdale and Matheson were the story of the round and the youngster later revealed he is a big Norwich City fan thanks to his father.

Adshead, speaking before the Under-23s' EFL Cup tie at Crawley this evening, was well aware of his City links.

%image(14576562, type="article-full", alt="Rochdale's Luke Matheson (centre) scores his side's first goal of the game during the Carabao Cup, Third Round match at Old Trafford, Manchester. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday September 25, 2019. See PA story SOCCER Man Utd. Photo credit should read: Richard Sellers/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.")

"I knew (he was a Norwich fan) - I'm really happy for Luke, I've been close to him since we were both in the under 10s," said Adshead, whose friend has since been linked with moves to Manchester United and Liverpool. "I FaceTimed him the other day, and he was delighted, it's a dream come true and I'm so happy for him.

"I think some of his family live down here, so I'll hopefully see him the next time he comes down. He's been really supportive of me."

England U17 international, Adshead, was on the cusp of Dale's squad last season, with his performances attracting interest from City.

The midfield ace is hoping that replicating the first team will lead to consistency for the U23s side.

"There's a massive difference between being in a first-team and an academy, mentality-wise. At Norwich the performances are everything whereas in a first-team environment you need the three points," Adshead added. "We always want to win, of course, but the performances give us confidence.

"The coaches just let you play. They want you to be free and express yourself. They always tell us that if we perform how they want us to, if we play how Norwich plays, then the results will take care of themselves."

City's youngsters travel to League Two Crawley Town this evening, hoping to avoid a similar fate to that of the first team earlier in the campaign where they were beaten 1-0 at the Broadfield Stadium in the League Cup.