Norwich City boss Paul Lambert admitted the club is going to need its fans more than ever in the Championship run-in.

With clubs like Leicester City and Nottingham Forest splashing out on Premier League players on Premier League wages, Lambert is looking to gain any advantage he can as we approach the business end of the season.

And the Canaries manager hopes the Carrow Road faithful can give his side the edge ahead of their clash with Doncaster this evening.

“You need a fan base behind your back and to be fair to the Norwich crowd they do that,” said Lambert. “At home they’re fantastic, even on Saturday there was a hell of a game on Saturday and Leeds fans were right up for it, Norwich fans were right up for it.

“You need your fans there’s no doubt. Anybody who tells you any different is lying. You need your fans to drive you on, because that’s where you get the lift from when you are having a hard time, so the fans are vital.”

While many fans may think that tonight’s opponents are far from the side that overran Norwich in the 3-1 defeat last September, Lambert is wary Sean O’Driscoll’s men could rediscover their form against City.

Their passing style has won them many admirers in the Championship this season but four straight defeats has seen City firmly installed as favourites.

“They are very good, there is no doubt,” added Lambert. “I know they have some injuries but they are still a dangerous side and we have to perform to win the game. They beat us up there, they deserved to beat us up there so we have to try and turn that around.

“Getting beat any time definitely hurts you but we have a chance to win a game. We have a chance to keep going the way we are going and we have a chance to still be in it.”

Lambert could be tempted to keep faith with the same starting line-up that gained a creditable 2-2 draw against Leeds on Saturday.