Norwich boss Peter Grant rammed home a survival reality check after his side slumped to a 1-0 Championship defeat at play-off contenders Cardiff.

Norwich boss Peter Grant rammed home a survival reality check after his side slumped to a 1-0 Championship defeat at play-off contenders Cardiff.

Grant insists his men still need three victories to avoid being sucked into a late relegation dog fight.

Wins for strugglers Hull, Leeds and Southend over the weekend, plus QPR's battling draw against Sheffield Wednesday, cut City's margin for error to eight points.

Grant's side now gear up for a Carrow Road double-header this week against promotion chasing Birmingham tomorrow and Stoke.

"We're three to four victories away from giving ourselves a guarantee, if you want to look at it that way," he said, after Bluebirds' midfielder Paul Parry's deflected early strike further stalled City's recent upturn.

"I'm one of these guys who will always look at the next game and we need to get a few victories before we're safe - that's for sure. The Championship is a very tough league.

"We have proved it time and time again. We beat Cardiff when they were flying and went to places like Birmingham and West Brom, then lose poor games at home and play poorly.

"I know I might sound silly when I say I don't look at league tables but it's about the next one. That is Birmingham and it's the most important now. We need a performance because if we play like we did in the first half against Cardiff then we could end up with massive egg on our faces."

Grant revealed Fulham loan recruit Tony Warner could be a long term solution to his goal keeping puzzle after another composed display against Cardiff. Out of favour Paul Gallacher returned to the squad at Ninian Park for the first time since Warner's arrival following an arm injury in training to youngster Joe Lewis.

"Tony has done terrific for us," said Grant. "He's a big presence and it's something we'll look at. He's still got a year and a bit at Fulham to go so obviously there is a long way to go.

"Everyone knows I'm looking for a goalkeeper. I've brought in four keepers and it keeps changing.

"David Marshall picked up an injury against Chelsea, Tony comes in and has claimed the number one spot. We've got an England U19 keeper here as well so we have good quality - I just feel at this moment in time we need that experience and Tony has vast experience."

Grant chose to leave behind injured attacking duo Luke Chadwick and Chris Brown, explaining: "Browny felt his hamstring tighten a bit in the last couple of days.

"Luke was the same. I felt with the long journey he'd be better doing a training session."