Hitman Holt one goal away from emulating legend Ron Davies

David Cuffley

Top scorer Grant Holt was one goal away from emulating the great Ron Davies as Norwich City went into their Easter Monday home game against Stockport.

Skipper Holt scored his 29th goal of the season in all competitions in Friday's 3-1 defeat at Tranmere. Wales international centre-forward Davies was the last City player to reach 30 in a season, back in 1963-64, when he joined the club from Luton Town.

Holt's second-half goal at Prenton Park took him past the 28 scored by Chris Sutton in 1993-94 and Ted MacDougall in 1975-76 - though both of them scored most of their goals in top-flight matches.

But with just seven matches to go including today's clash with Stockport, Holt has his work cut out to match Terry Allcock's club record of 37 in all competitions in 1962-63.

One potential threat to his outside chance of a record would be a yellow card today or against MK Dons on Saturday, which would trigger a two-match ban.

Declan Rudd was set to continue in goal this afternoon in place of the suspended Fraser Forster, Rudd playing all but the first 12 minutes at Tranmere after Forster's red card. Midfielder Korey Smith was doubtful again with a thigh injury.

City went into today's game knowing that four wins from the last seven matches would guarantee promotion, though with Millwall and Leeds involved in lunchtime games, even that may have changed by the 3pm kick-off time at Carrow Road. Bottom club Stockport arrived at Carrow Road with three away wins under their belts this season - at Brighton, Tranmere and Exeter. Manager Gary Ablett was heartened by his side's performance in a 1-1 draw at home to Walsall on Saturday, but it was their seventh match without a win. “We're massively disappointed with that result, but certainly not the performance.”