Norwich City boss Paul Lambert today insisted he and his players would not be sidetracked by the fanfare over his return to former club Colchester for tomorrow's League One promotion encounter. Lambert makes his first return visit to the Weston Homes Community Stadium (3pm) since his controversial switch to Carrow Road in August and can expect a hot reception from home fans in a 10,000 sell-out crowd.

Norwich City boss Paul Lambert today insisted he and his players would not be sidetracked by the fanfare over his return to former club Colchester for tomorrow's League One promotion encounter.

Lambert makes his first return visit to the Weston Homes Community Stadium (3pm) since his controversial switch to Carrow Road in August and can expect a hot reception from home fans in a 10,000 sell-out crowd.

But as second-placed City bid to put more daylight between themselves and Colchester, six points behind in fourth place, he said only one thing mattered - the match itself.

In his Evening News column tonight, Lambert said: “We have to switch off from all the fuss that will be made over the game and go all out to try to secure another three points.

“It is just another game for us and one we want to win to keep our winning run going.

“I don't think the fact I am going back to my old club, Colchester, is the big issue - it's what the lads who play the game do on the pitch tomorrow. They are the important ones, as I have said many times.

“Yes, I expect I will get some grief, which is all part and parcel of football, but it's not about me, it's about the two teams on the day.”

Lambert has additional options when selecting his squad after last week's 3-1 win over Exeter stretched City's unbeaten run to 12 league games - 10 of them victories.

Midfielder Stephen Hughes, who has missed the last two matches with a calf injury, and newly-signed defender Zak Whitbread, who did not play a first team match for Millwall this season because of a hip injury, are both likely to be added to the travelling party.

“Stephen has been training again this week, which is a good sign, and he will probably be involved in the squad,” said Lambert.

“Zak has not played for a bit but he has been involved over the past few days and done well, and he is likely to be included in the squad.”

There is more good news for the City boss with defender Michael Spillane set to resume full training on Monday after more than three months out with a hamstring injury - a timely return after full-back Jon Otsemobor's move to Southampton yesterday.