David Cuffley Goalkeeping great Kevin Keelan has sent a good luck message to Fraser Forster ahead of Norwich City's final match of a triumphant season, declaring: “I hope he equals my record.

David Cuffley

Goalkeeping great Kevin Keelan has sent a good luck message to Fraser Forster ahead of Norwich City's final match of a triumphant season, declaring: “I hope he equals my record.”

The 22-year-old Forster has kept 18 clean sheets in League One for the title-winning Canaries during his nine months on loan from Newcastle.

And one more shut-out in the champions' last game at home to Carlisle United on Saturday would match the legendary Keelan's club record of 19, set in Division Two in 1974-75 when City won promotion under John Bond.

Speaking from his home in Tampa, Florida, Keelan said: “I send Fraser all the best and I sincerely hope he does it. Records are there to be broken, or in this case equalled.

“He must have had a great season and this would be the icing on the cake.

“It is important to have a strong goalkeeper and I only wish I was there to congratulate him if he does it.”

Keelan, 69, has not seen City play this season - his last visit to Carrow Road was in 2008 when he was voted into the club's Greatest Ever team - but has kept up to date with their results.

He said: “It's congratulations all round. To be 12 points ahead going into the last game shows how well they have done.

“My son calls and we touch base and I know from talking to him that they have been racing away with this league and playing really well.

“The manager has done very well and seems to be well respected. Now what they need to do is get him on a nice long contract.”

Keelan holds City's all-time appearance record with 673 games between 1963 and 1980, and news of the club's plans for a parade and civic reception at Norwich Castle brought back memories of promotion celebrations from 38 years ago.

He said: “That takes me back because when we won the second division championship under Ron Saunders we went to Norwich Castle. I wish I could be there to see it.”

Keelan said he looked forward to following City's progress next season.

He said: “I hope this is a step in the right direction and they can have a great season in the Championship. The Premier League is all Fox TV shows over here, so I hope one day I can watch Norwich on TV again here.

“It will be tougher in the Championship and they will need to get the wallet out.

“But the fans are fantastic - they always were - and to get 25,000 at every home game, they have that wonderful guarantee.

“God bless those people over there. When I was there they were incredible, the best fans you could have behind you, a fantastic bunch of people.”