'Gut-wrenching' for Grant

Norwich City could end up having a big say in the Championship play-offs race - but manager Peter Grant says it is “gut-wrenching” that his team aren't in with a shout of going up.

The Canaries face a weekend visit from a Southampton side who are one point and one place outside the top six - and desperate for a win.

Eight days later the Canaries season ends with a trip to Hillsborough, where Sheffield Wednesday could still be in the hunt. The Owls are 10th, but just a point behind Saints in a thrilling finale to the campaign.

However, the fact that City's run-in holds no prizes doesn't sit well with Grant, whose team are 17th - 13 points shy of the play-off spots - particularly after his recent exploits with West Ham.

“That's a massive disappointment for us,” he said. “I looked at the teams last night and there are a lot on the edge and the last four years I've been to Cardiff, three play-offs and a cup final and it's the first year I'm not going to be there and it leaves a gut-wrenching feeling in me.”

Grant's optimism had lasted a lot longer than that of many City fans, with his play-off ambitions only extinguished by the home defeat by West Brom earlier this month.

“Since I've been here there's no doubt in my mind we should have been right in that pack and I thought that all the way up the West Brom game where if we'd won that I still think we'd have been in with a great shout,” Grant told the Canaries web site.

“It was very, very disappointing that evening. Not just with the result but with the way we performed because I knew we were that close and had the players capable that, if we'd got on a run, we could have matched anybody in a play-off position and getting that promotion.

“I still felt it was possible to do that, even how inconsistent we have been. So disappointment is probably an understatement.”

t There are still tickets available for the final home game of the season against Southampton. They are on general sale to supporters on the club's database and can be bought by calling 0870 444 1902, or by calling into the ticket offices at Carrow Road or the Canary Store in the Castle Mall.