Norwich City manager Paul Lambert has handed the board his Christmas wish-list but warned that any potential signings must not upset the winning chemistry he has established at Carrow Road.

Work is already 'well under way' according to Canaries chief executive David McNally on bringing some new faces to the club but Lambert insists any new additions must not upset the Norwich applecart.

Hungry players on their way up in the game appears to be the brief but any deal must fit snugly inside the manager's budget – the years of the club spending beyond their means are long gone.

'Personality is vital – the character of a footballer is vital,' said Lambert. 'If they have got the winning mentality to coincide with that then you've got a good player on your hands.

'I don't look for anybody to come in and disrupt anything or think they are bigger than the group that's already there.

'Whoever comes in has got to earn the right first and foremost. I think that's always the case when you have a team that's going well and it's a big club.

'The day you stop looking over your shoulder as a footballer is the day you become complacent. I have to get the right type of player in.'

Lambert's record in the transfer market so far as City manager has been impressive and he knows he can't afford to bring in anyone who will not add to what he has already got.

There will be no unwanted presents that won't be of any use to the club in the second half of the season.

When asked if he had handed Santa his wish-list, Lambert took a long pause before uttering: 'Yeah... Finances are a big part of the game. Hopefully, I won't bring anyone in that's not hungry to do well. The ones we've identified are that hopefully – whether they come or not remains to be seen.

'I won't put the club in the position it was a few years ago, just bringing anyone in for a night out in Norwich and then going back to wherever they want to go.'

With Norwich slapping a 'not for sale' tag on star striker Grant Holt amid interest from several Premier League clubs, Lambert also revealed he does not foresee any Carrow Road exits in January.

'I don't expect anyone to leave,' said Lambert, who also said he has had no contact from any clubs regarding Owain Tudur Jones, who was this week linked with moves to Millwall and Sheffield United.

'Everybody's part of it. If you are here and you are called upon then I expect you to do your job,' said Lambert.

The first assignment of the festive period is a trip to face a relegation-threatened Crystal Palace side.

Lambert has been boosted by the news that Andrew Crofts has shrugged off the virus that kept him out of the victory at Coventry but will leave it until later in the week to decide whether Wes Hoolahan and Russell Martin can both shake off dead legs suffered at the Ricoh.

Adam Drury and Zak Whitbread are also back in training, although it would be a surprise if they were considered ready for Selhurst Park.

'Adam is training back with us again which is good. Zak is also back in training. I've not decided whether Adam will be in contention yet. He has been out a long time,' said Lambert.