Grant Holt has no problem switching between starts at the substitutes’ bench – because of the physical challenge that comes with the Premier League.

Grant Holt has no problem switching between starts at the substitutes’ bench – because of the physical challenge that comes with the Premier League.

Seven of the Norwich City skipper’s 13 appearances this season have come from the bench, as have three of the four goals that make him the Canaries’ joint leading scorer along with Anthony Pilkington and Steve Morison.

In fact, Holt has averaged one goal for every 146 minutes of top-flight football he has played.

The 30-year-old had been a certain starter for Paul Lambert after joining City in 2009, as he racked up 92 appearances in successful League One and Championship campaigns – and while times may have changed a little this term, there will be no grumbling from City’s cult hero.

“In this division, you have to look at this as a squad game,” said Holt. “It’s not about individuals. No one ever plays the 11 men for the whole term – you can’t in this division, it’s too physically challenging.

“That’s why the manager brought in a lot of bodies in the summer to help us along.

“If you look at who we have got sitting in the stands, we have George Francomb, Zak Whitbread, we have got Dani Ayala back, Simon Lappin, Adam Drury. That’s what you need in the stands – and we have got a few others who are injured and will come back too.

“Everyone from number one to 28 or whatever it is needs to be involved and that’s the only way we’ll stay in this division.”

From Holt’s 104 games in yellow, the striker has notched 57 goals – a phenomenal strike-rate that saw the City skipper join the Canaries goal hauls of Kevin Drinkell, James Jackson and Kenny Foggo in 15th with Saturday’s winner over QPR.

“You know me by now – I just want to score goals,” said Holt. “It doesn’t matter when I am playing, I want to score.

“I have said it many times for many years, with the quality we have got they create a lot of chances for you. They keep doing that and they keep falling to me, so I’m happy about that.

“I always fancy goals. As I say, it doesn’t matter what level you are, as long as we get the quality and put it in, we have got players who will score goals at this club. If we keep doing that we will be all right.”

Two of Holt’s goals have come at English football’s most iconic grounds – Anfield and Stamford Bridge – while City’s number nine did not get the chance to add to his tally at Old Trafford.

So what price Holt adding to his list at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, as Norwich face the daunting prospect of unbeaten Premier League leaders Manchester City on their own turf?

Either way, Holt is backing City to give it a go – as is now customary under Lambert.

“I don’t think you can go in with a game plan for them,” added Holt.

“Obviously everyone knows they are fantastic players, but everyone said that about Manchester United and we should have got something there – and everyone said that about Liverpool and we got something there.

“Obviously we will go up there to win, which we always do wherever we go, and we’ll see where it takes us.”