DAVID CUFFLEY Striker Robert Earnshaw needed a hospital scan on his knee before being cleared for FA Cup duty, manager Peter Grant admitted after Saturday's 4-1 win at Tamworth.

DAVID CUFFLEY

Striker Robert Earnshaw needed a hospital scan on his knee before being cleared for FA Cup duty, manager Peter Grant admitted after Saturday's 4-1 win at Tamworth.

Earnshaw hardly trained after jarring his knee in the 3-1 defeat at Crystal Palace on New Year's Day, getting just one session before the trip to The Lamb.

Grant insisted two days before the game that Earnshaw would not be rested to protect his transfer value during the January window - but had to admit that he was only just passed fit.

“Robert had a scan in midweek and hadn't trained up until Friday,” said Grant after the game. !I knew the wee man was desperate to play and wanted to prove he wants to be here.

“He proved today that he had only one concern, that he wanted to do well for Norwich City. He should have scored today. But he's a top player and as long as I'm manager here, hopefully he'll be here.”

Grant praised his players for a “100 per cent professional performance” in seeing off the challenge of Tamworth.

He said: “I think you can give the players great credit because we have known all week what the hullabaloo has all been about.

“They have been 100 per cent professional in their preparation for the game, the way they approached the game, and they thoroughly deserved to win. Tamworth were better in the first 10 to 15 minutes and they had a couple of good chances but that is what cup football is all about - I know that.

“There was a 20-minute period when it was important we didn't concede a goal but after that we cruised it.

“But we came here to win the game. That's what we've done and I'm absolutely delighted with that.

“We didn't want to wake up in the morning with our head under the covers and see Tamworth getting the back page headlines.”

Grant praised both goalscorers, Dion Dublin and Darren Huckerby.

He said: “Dion has been a fantastic example since I came to the club and he's a great credit to his profession. All young boys in the game should take a leaf out of his book.

Of Huckerby's two goals, Grant said: “He's not a big enough threat but today he was a much bigger threat and it proves if you get in the box and take chances you will score goals.”

Grant praised non-league Tamworth when he said: “I thought they were excellent.”