Paddy Davitt Norwich's midfield heartbeat Sammy Clingan has tapped up Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington to get the derby day lowdown. Clingan has sought advice from the former Canaries' manager ahead of his first taste of the unique East Anglian experience at Carrow Road on Sunday.

Paddy Davitt

Norwich's midfield heartbeat Sammy Clingan has tapped up Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington to get the derby day lowdown. Clingan has sought advice from the former Canaries' manager ahead of his first taste of the unique East Anglian experience at Carrow Road on Sunday.

“I spoke to Nigel Worthington about this game and he said it is a special game and that I will enjoy it,” said Clingan. “I've heard a lot about these sorts of games and I'm really looking forward to playing in it. I'm sure the atmosphere will be electric as all these games are. I've not had much experience really of playing in derbies. When I was at Forest we played Derby in a pre-season game for the Brian Clough Trophy but apart from that I haven't played in any. There's no secret, you just have to get stuck in and do the ugly side of the game. Hopefully if you do that then you get the points you deserve. We need a good win against Ipswich to kick start us again.”

Clingan is already well aware of the deep fault lines separating Norfolk and Suffolk.

“We know this game means more for the fans because they are close - well, quite close,” he said. “It's just about the bragging rights, going into work together and maybe having that chance to slag each other off. But it's down to us to go out there and put on a performance for the supporters and ourselves.

“I suppose it is a bit strange when you consider how far apart the two clubs are to call it a derby but then again it is the closest place to Norwich so I'm sure all the lads will be up for the game and hopefully we can put in a performance and get a result. I think we should be judged on the whole season, though, not just on this one game. I'm sure the fans and the players will be up for the game so as long as we give 100pc that should be enough.”

Clingan admits his team mates are desperate to lose the sour aftertaste of last weekend's second half no show at Hillsborough - despite notching his second Norwich career goal from the penalty spot.

“The lads were bitterly disappointed after the Sheff Weds game,” he said. “We put in a great performance first half - I thought one of the best away since I have been here. We went in at half time and the gaffer did warn us their manager would get them up and then I don't know what happened to us. We came out and conceded one goal and then another. Leroy (Lita) got us back in the game at 2-2 and we felt we could go on and win it from there but unfortunately we conceded at the other end again.

“I said it before when I scored against Derby that I'm confident when I get a penalty I will score. I'm sure one day I will end up missing but, touch wood, that is not in the coming games.”