Lambert keen for a cup run

Paddy Davitt Norwich City boss Paul Lambert is challenging his men to make some League Cup memories of their own ahead of tonight's second round tie at Premiership Blackburn (8pm). Lambert guided Wycombe to a semi-final against Chelsea in the same competition three seasons ago and the Canaries' chief insists City can produce a Carling Cup upset at Ewood Park.

Paddy Davitt

Norwich City boss Paul Lambert is challenging his men to make some League Cup memories of their own ahead of tonight's second round tie at Premiership Blackburn (8pm.)

Lambert guided Wycombe to a semi-final against Chelsea in the same competition three seasons ago and the Canaries' chief insists City can produce a Carling Cup upset at Ewood Park.

“I'm sure most people will view it that the pressure is off in this game - apart from ourselves,” he said. “We are certainly not going up there thinking it's just another game, we get beat and then we come back down the road. No, not at all.

“It would be really, really good to go on one (a cup run) but we have a tough, tough game. We have earned the right to be there although I am under no illusions how hard it is going to be.

“It's a great tie for us, going away to a Premiership side at a ground that we have never been to before and its one we are looking forward to.

“That time at Wycombe was great because the whole club was vibrant and everyone was really up for it. The only problem was not long after that we lost Mike Williamson, who did his cruciate, and Will Antwi got hurt and they were my two main centre halves, who were brilliant in the cup run and the league.

“We lost those two and it hurt us a bit in that first year but it was something I wouldn't have changed for the world. To go to Chelsea and Stamford Bridge in the second leg of the semi-final and the game still to be in the balance at 1-1 was great.”

Lambert, whose Wycombe team went on to lose 4-0 at Chelsea, faces a fresh central defensive dilemma against Rovers, with Michael Nelson poised to miss out after picking up an ankle injury in the weekend's Championship win over Swansea.

Danish back-up Jens Berthel Askou is on standby to deputise, with Lambert confirming he will shuffle his pack.

“Michael was having a scan and we'll have to wait and see but other than not we are not too bad,” he said.

“Zak (Whitbread) and Steven (Smith), no chance, but we have the international break coming up which is the one good thing about that, so it's quite good that way.

“There will be a few changes but everybody has to play a part and everybody here is important as each other.

“Guys like Simon (Lappin) and (David) Fox have been unlucky not to start but at least I know they are really close to it and can play and it's up to each other here to keep the pressure on. I value everybody the same in the squad.”