Free entry looks set to bring out a big crowd for Norwich City's Barclays Under-21 Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur tonight.

The likes of Gary Hooper, Vadis Odjidja and Carlos Cuellar are vying for the three over-age spots in the City U21s' line-up for the game at Carrow Road – which is being broadcast live by BT Sport.

That has prompted the Canaries to offer free entry for fans and a selection of first-team players will also be on hand to sign autographs in the Jarrold Stand concourse between 6pm and 7pm, with kick-off at 7.45pm.

City academy manager Greg Broughton is hoping the big crowd will provide a lift for the U21s team, which is likely to include academy products such as Cameron McGeehan, Harry Toffolo and Recce Hall-Johnson.

'It will make a big difference to the players. More importantly, it makes it a realistic experience for them,' Broughton told City's website.

'If we get near the crowd we're hoping for on Tuesday, it will be higher than most attendances in League One and League Two. That means it will be a very realistic experience.

'With it being the first game of the season at Carrow Road, and the size of the crowd, it will put a different type of pressure on the boys.'

The City U21s are looking to bounce back from a 2-0 loss at Southampton in their last league match, in which Hooper and Odjidja both played the full 90 minutes.

That followed a first win of the season, with Jamar Loza scoring a hat-trick in a 5-0 thrashing of Leicester at Colney.

'We all left that game (at Southampton) slightly disappointed with the outcome, both in terms of the performance and the result,' added Broughton.

'Even though it was an honest, hard-working performance from us, we struggled to create chances. Southampton did too, it was a game of few chances but because we had so much success in the home game against Leicester leading into that, we had high expectations.

'I think because this is the first game at Carrow Road, the expectations will be equally high. I'm expecting a very open game, a very attacking game with lots of really good football. Hopefully we'll have enough edge to score the goals necessary to win the game.

'The players know they will have all their family and friends who aren't in the stadium watching back at home as well so that will put pressure on them.'

U18s coach Jerry Gill will take charge of the City youngsters, as usual U21s boss Dale Brooks is unwell. Gill will be pitting his wits against former Middlesbrough and England defender Ugo Ehiogu, who is in charge of the Spurs U21s.

The Tottenham youngsters are looking to improve as well, having lost their last two matches 2-1, away at Sunderland and then at home against Manchester United.