Wanted: A man to step into skipper Holt's boots

City boss Paul Lambert was today considering his options for replacing skipper Grant Holt for the next three matches - starting at Walsall tomorrow night.

City boss Paul Lambert was today considering his options for replacing skipper Grant Holt for the next three matches - starting at Walsall tomorrow night.

Leading scorer Holt's straight red card against Brentford means he will miss the games against Walsall, Hartlepool and Millwall through suspension.

But after the Canaries' 10 men battled to a 1-0 win over the Bees to go top of League One, Lambert would not confirm who was likely to step into the captain's shoes.

"We will lose Grant, but somebody else will have to come in and give us a hand," said Lambert. "Grant Holt has been absolutely sensational for us, not just on the field of play but off it, so it is a big blow, but we had to play a good bit of the game without him as well, so whoever comes in will do great for us. We've got a few things we can do. We have to adjust, that is the letter of the law, and try to keep driving it on."

Striker Oli Johnson, who set up Saturday's winner for Chris Martin after scoring his first goal for the club at Colchester the previous week, is one candidate to make his first start since his move from Stockport.

Said Lambert: "He is incredible at the minute. He's only a young kid - he played non-League football for a good spell and has come into this environment where the demand is on every single time to produce. He lit up the place again when he came on and the impact to set Chrissy up was terrific. His enthusiasm will carry him a good bit and the adrenalin and the crowd - all those sorts of things. People have to be patient with him, he is only a young lad, but so far he has been terrific."

Darel Russell and Adam Drury both received their fifth yellow cards of the season, but as the bookings came after December 31 they will face suspension - unless they reach 10 yellows by the second Sunday of April.