Wes Hoolahan is looking forward to taking centre stage when League One's big guns slug it out at Carrow Road this afternoon. The Irishman with the magic feet has been the star of the show on numerous occasions this season, but they don't come much bigger than this: first versus second, a full house and the chance to put one foot through the door into the Championship - if it's not there already.

Wes Hoolahan is looking forward to taking centre stage when League One's big guns slug it out at Carrow Road this afternoon.

The Irishman with the magic feet has been the star of the show on numerous occasions this season, but they don't come much bigger than this: first versus second, a full house and the chance to put one foot through the door into the Championship - if it's not there already.

Just how Hoolahan likes it.

“I like playing in front of big crowds and against big teams,” he said.

“It lifts your game a bit more and I am looking forward to tomorrow. I enjoy the pressure - you want to play in big games, especially in the Championship, and I'm looking forward to it.”

It's the Championship that both teams have their sights on - and it was their last meeting, at Elland Road in October, that made City fans sit up and believe that their team really is up there with the best of them. An impressive performance was spoiled only by a 90th-minute winner by Jermaine Beckford. City trailed Leeds by 11 points - but it proved to be a turning point.

“We played ever so well in that game,” said Hoolahan. “We thought we should have won or got the draw and to lose in the last minute of the game kicked us in the teeth.

“But we knew, we had belief after that game that we had a chance of getting promoted.”

The points swing is impressive: from a double-figure deficit City could go 11 clear of their nearest rivals if they win today.

“It's surprising,” admitted Hoolahan. “But we have been playing well and when the gaffer has come in he said, 'we can catch them, we can win this league' and hopefully we can keep winning and try and do it.”

The objective is clear and simple.

“Win as many games as we can and get promoted as early as possible,” said Hoolahan. “Once we get promoted then we look to get first place.”