Norwich defender Gary Doherty is seeking some FA Cup pay back in Saturday's third round trip to fellow Championship strugglers Charlton. The Irishman has only been past the first hurdle once in his Carrow Road career to date - losing to Premiership heavyweights Chelsea in a fifth round tie at Stamford Bridge two years ago.

Norwich defender Gary Doherty is seeking some FA Cup pay back in Saturday's third round trip to fellow Championship strugglers Charlton.

The Irishman has only been past the first hurdle once in his Carrow Road career to date - losing to Premiership heavyweights Chelsea in a fifth round tie at Stamford Bridge two years ago.

Doherty was previously a losing FA Cup semi final goal scorer for old club Spurs back in 2001 at the hands of arch enemies Arsenal - but the 28-year-old remains a huge fan of the world famous cup competition.

“To be honest, I've always been quite lucky in the FA Cup,” said Doherty. “I've scored a lot for Luton and Spurs, and Norwich as well. So it's a fixture I do look forward to. I was lucky enough to get to the semi-final and that was probably the best time of my career, so I know that a good cup run can really lift moral and lift you personally.

“It is something, once you get through a few rounds, then you start thinking, and Cardiff did terrific last year. So it's not beyond us. It's not beyond anyone from the Championship to get to the quarters or the semis. If we can beat Charlton and then maybe get a home game in the next round, then who knows.”

Doherty also earned City a replay against Bury at Carrow Road last season before the Canaries lost out in the replay at Gigg Lane.

“We've never been great in the FA Cup since I've been here, so it would be nice to get a little run. Obviously Charlton are down there with us so it's going to be a real battle royale,” added Doherty. “From financial gains as well, it would be great if we got to the fourth round and maybe got a big club so we can get a few quid in. So we're going to go there, we're going to try our best and try and get into the next round.”

Charlton are without a win in 16 games and one of only four teams below Norwich in the Championship table, meaning Saturday's result could also have implications for the teams' league fortunes, something Doherty feels will add some spice to the occasion.

“I think so, especially because they are down there with us,” added the Republic of Ireland international. “If it was one of the top Championship clubs then it would be a different story, but they're down there with us and it's not really a game you want in the FA Cup I think.

“But it's something we've got to handle. We've beaten them recently and we played well, so at least we can go into the game with a bit of confidence knowing that we've already turned them over.”

The January transfer window opens tomorrow and with John Kennedy loan spell from Celtic over as well as Dejan Stefanovic's season-ending ligament injury, Doherty is confident City boss Glenn Roeder will bring in the right reinforcements to see Norwich through the rest of season.

“We probably need two centre-halves at least. We're on our knees with centre-halves as I'm probably the only one who is an official one,” added Doherty. “Elliott has done a terrific job coming in, as obviously he is a right-back and a young right-back as well. So it's going to be difficult asking him to keep playing regularly in this league because it's an extremely demanding league.

“I spoke to the gaffer this morning and he made it clear he's desperate to get someone in and hopefully two, so that's where we really need to strengthen. I think experience is the key. I think you need two good strong centre-halves, I think the gaffer realises that and he is really looking to get someone in.”