Wembley dream is in Lewis' sights

Joe Lewis' patience is beginning to pay off - with a trip to Wembley in the sights of the Canaries on-loan goalkeeper. The 19-year-old is preparing for his second outing between the sticks for Stockport tomorrow afternoon, knowing that every point gained increases the chances of a League Two play-off spot, and that magical invitation to the revamped home of English football.

Joe Lewis' patience is beginning to pay off - with a trip to Wembley in the sights of the Canaries on-loan goalkeeper.

The 19-year-old is preparing for his second outing between the sticks for Stockport tomorrow afternoon, knowing that every point gained increases the chances of a League Two play-off spot, and that magical invitation to the revamped home of English football.

Lewis made his competitive debut last weekend, keeping a clean sheet as Stockport beat Chester 2-0 to maintain their play-off ambitions.

Tomorrow it's a short trip to Macclesfield for the Broome teenager, who can rest more easily after his debut.

“It was nice to get a relatively easy game to start off with,” said Lewis, who was named on the City bench at the age of 15 but has never made a senior start.

“I didn't have a great deal to do. There was one one-on-one in the second half, which I managed to save, but in the first half I hardly touched the ball.

“Towards the end there were a few crosses to come and claim, but apart from that I didn't have much to do. The defence helped me out brilliantly.”

Canaries boss Peter Grant has sent Lewis out on loan with the express purpose of getting him some much-needed experience - and Lewis believes the experience of training to prepare for a game at the end of it would stand him in good stead.

“It's a massive relief to get some games,” he told the Canaries web site. “It's something I've been waiting for a long time now and to get the opportunity to play some first team football has been ideal really.

“It's been great to get the experience. Obviously I hope this will help so that when I come back to Norwich I'm ready to play straight away.”

Stockport are sixth in League One, four points ahead of Shrewsbury and looking good for a play-off spot.

That means Wembley - a prospect that was far from his mind before Stockport came calling on loan deadline day.

“Exactly - it would be more than I could have expected,” he said. “It was a loan deadline day surprise to get the call from Stockport. At the time it was looking as if I was going to end the season without getting out and getting any games.

“To end the season with a trip to Wembley would be amazing. But we've got to get there first.”