Chris LakeyPaul Lambert will have to watch Norwich City's bid to clinch the League One title from the stands tomorrow after being banned from the touchline by the FA.Chris Lakey

Paul Lambert will have to watch Norwich City's bid to clinch the League One title from the stands tomorrow after being banned from the touchline by the FA.

City need just a point from the home game against Gillingham to clinch the crown - seven days after sealing promotion back to the Championship at the first attempt.

But Lambert - and head of football operations Gary Karsa - won't be in the home dug-out for the game. Their ban applies only to the touchline however, so they will be able to communicate with assistant manager Ian Culverhouse on the bench and speak to the players in the dressing room before the game and at half-time.

The punishments arise from the Good Friday defeat at Tranmere, when both men were sent to the stands by referee Eddie Ilderton.

Lambert had run on to the pitch during a break in play to kick the ball back to where a free-kick was due to be taken. The match official approached him on the touchline and then ordered both men to the stands.

Lambert admitted using abusive and/or insulting words and requested a 'non-personal' hearing, but denied a second breach of FA rule E3 relating to improper conduct. Karsa admitted improper conduct and also requested a non-personal hearing.

Lambert was also fined �1,000 and Karsa �500 during yesterday's FA Regulatory Commission hearing.

With promotion already secured and one hand on the title trophy, the absence of Lambert and Karsa on the bench won't have quite the detrimental effect it may have had in recent weeks - although their reaction to last weekend's promotion-clinching win at Charlton suggests they would have been at the centre of any celebrations.

It is the second time this season that Lambert has been in trouble with the FA after he was fined �750 and warned as to his future conduct back in September after an incident during his time as Colchester boss.

Meanwhile the Canaries confirmed yesterday that players and officials intended to come back out on to the pitch after tomorrow's game to show their appreciation to fans - should they clinch the title.

But those plans will go out of the window if any supporters come on to the playing area - and the club have issued a plea on their official website for order to be maintained after the final whistle.

There will be no formal presentations after tomorrow's game, with the League One trophy set to be presented on the day of the final home game against Carlisle on May 8.

t City fans still have a chance to attend the game, with a final batch of 250 tickets going on sale this morning from 9am. The number to call is 0844 8261902.