Michael Bailey Norwich City have revealed plans to screen their sold out top-of-the-table clash with Leeds United have fallen through. The clash between League One's title contenders on Saturday week at Carrow Road was completely sold out at the start of the month, leaving many fans without the chance to see arguably the Canaries' most important game of the season.

Michael Bailey

Norwich City have revealed plans to screen their sold out top-of-the-table clash with Leeds United have fallen through.

The clash between League One's title contenders on Saturday week at Carrow Road was completely sold out at the start of the month, leaving many fans without the chance to see arguably the Canaries' most important game of the season.

With the game not selected for Sky Sports' live television coverage, City had looked into the game being broadcast at a Norwich cinema, according to chief executive David McNally, who was speaking at last night's fans' forum held at Carrow Road.

“We looked into putting it on at the cinema, we absolutely looked at it and we spoke to a broadcaster about putting it on, but we just couldn't make it work financially,” McNally added.

An audience of almost 300 fans attended the Norfolk Lounge meeting, with questions put to the majority of the Norwich board and manager Paul Lambert.

And McNally admitted Sky were set to miss out on some big viewing figures after failing to find an opening in their schedule to screen the meeting between League One's two best sides.

“The TV money in League One, you get about �10,000 as the away team and I don't really know how much the home team gets because we haven't had a televised game at Carrow Road,” joked McNally.

“It's actually about �30,000 for the home side and when you're a League One club �30,000 is a lot of money, so we would have welcomed it.

“Sky would have looked at the game and if they had a slot I'm sure they would have selected it.

“But we agree (we would have wanted it), the viewing figures would have been huge.”

Among questions on finance, team strengthening and more seats at Carrow Road, the top table revealed there is no prize money for the Canaries being promoted - or even winning the League One title.

However, promotion could be worth up to an extra �5m to City if the Football League and Premier League can agree on a new deal between now and August, something currently being negotiated.

Those discussions should also decide what will happen to the parachute payments that would be homeless if Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion win promotion to the top flight at the first time of asking in May.

Next season's Championship clubs are those most likely to benefit from a share of the unexpected windfall.

Should City finish the job this summer, Lambert admitted he would look to strengthen his current squad ahead of a return to English football's second tier - while he may also be in line for a new contract should May see mission accomplished.

Lambert said: “The lads have been brilliant and there is still work to do, but we'll try and see it through.

“Do I think the current group are good enough to then carry it through (if promoted)? They will need a bit of help.

“As with everything in life, you have to step up to the plate and as at any football club in the world, they try to bring in players and we are no different. We'll try to bring some other lads in to give the current group a hand.”

Lambert is believed to have signed a 12-month rolling deal when he joined City in August and McNally added: “We are all absolutely delighted with what Paul and his team have done and we want them to be here for a very long time.

“We have still got to get the first job done, so let's get promoted first. We have 10 cup finals to go and then we'll sit down in the summer and talk about the future.

“We trust and believe in one another, and as a board we have a lot of faith and trust in Paul and his team. Compared to most football experiences I have had this is really tight-knit group.”