Michael Bailey Norwich City striker Grant Holt is expecting a hostile reception when he returns to his home town club this weekend - not least from his own brothers.The Canaries travel to Cumbria today for their League One clash with Carlisle United at Brunton Park tomorrow (3pm) - a journey the Norwich skipper is used to, having been born in the town.

Michael Bailey

Norwich City striker Grant Holt is expecting a hostile reception when he returns to his home town club this weekend - not least from his own brothers.

The Canaries travel to Cumbria today for their League One clash with Carlisle United at Brunton Park tomorrow (3pm) - a journey the Norwich skipper is used to, having been born in the town.

And although at least one of his siblings is a Norwich fan - as Holt admitted when he signed for City in the summer - he still expects to be on the receiving end of some stick.

“I might get a chance to see a few of them - I'm sure they'll be in the crowd giving us a bit of stick when I'm warming up, but that's part and parcel of football and I'm just looking forward to going up there, doing my job and getting three points,” said Holt, whose City supporting brother may have to bite his lip at times on Saturday.

“I'm sure he'll be sitting on the fence a little bit,” added Holt. “I think he'll be going in the Carlisle end, so I don't think he'll be cheering too loudly.”

And the City striker is not expecting any problems from the weekend's 562-mile round trip to Cumbria.

“Having lived there, I've done it once or twice so it won't really bother me,” said Holt. “I know how long and boring it's going to be, but a few of the lads will have to get used to it.

“But when you're down in Norwich there's a lot of journeys of three or four hours anyway, so you just take in your stride, really.”

Holt, pictured, has scored four goals in four games for the Canaries as their climb up the League One table continues, and he believes momentum is building in the City camp.

“We're doing well at the moment. I think winning games gives you that belief,” said Holt. “Wins always build that (momentum). It's a lot easier when you're winning than when you're losing and we know we've got a squad good enough and we've got the belief to go on now, get a run.

“We know we weren't happy with the situation we were in three of four weeks ago, but now it's looking a lot rosier, we've got games coming up which are big - but we know we can win.”

City have just one league win this season on their travels, and although Holt knows City need to pick up plenty of points outside Norfolk if they are to trouble the top six, the Norwich skipper expects those results to come sooner rather than later.

“We want three points anywhere, it doesn't matter if it's home or away, any game is just as important,” said Holt.

“But we know we've been away from home, had good performances and not got what we've deserved really.

“So hopefully we can go up there, and then Leeds the week after, and finally get what we deserve on the road.

“We have picked points up on the road, it's just a case that we haven't been getting wins.

“If you look at the Gillingham game last week (in the league), for 30 minutes we absolutely battered them, the goalie gets sent off, the decision goes against us.

“But we don't give up, were 1-0 down, we come back to 1-1 and we should've won it at the end.

“That shows the desire and the team spirit we've got and I'm sure Carlisle won't be looking forward to us going up there.”

A City side that saw Academy youngsters George Francomb, Josh Dawkin and David Stephens step into first team football proved too strong for Gillingham in Tuesday night's Johnstone's Paint Trophy win at the Priestfield Stadium, and Holt believes the Canaries crop of new talent are being spurred on by the likes of Korey Smith and Luke Daley - who have become a regular feature in Paul Lambert's League One squads.

“We've got some good young lads,” said Holt. “We train on a Thursday and a lot of them involved and it's great for the club, great for the youth set up to see all the players that are coming through.

“I'm sure the likes of Korey playing in the team, and Luke Daley has had a good run, and all the young lads look at them and think I want to do that.

“For the manager, it doesn't matter how young you are. Like he's said before, if you're good enough, you'll be in.”

The 28-year-old should be fine to make his 14th appearance of the season after suffering a knock to his calf in the 5-1 hammering of high flying Bristol Rovers at the weekend.

“Everything's fine, I'll have a look at it this morning, have a little run out, but it seems to be a lot better and hopefully I'll get through today,” said Holt, at Colney yesterday.

“It was just a knock and I've been with the physios this week trying to get it down. There's been a few knocks but I think that comes with the way we're playing at the moment.

“The lads are getting stuck in and working hard for the team to perform, and I'm sure the lads that are on the treatment table will be fighting to get off it for the weekend.”