Jonathan RedheadGrant Holt can score goals in the Championship next season if the service is right, according to a former Norwich City favourite who played alongside him.Jonathan Redhead

Grant Holt can score goals in the Championship next season if the service is right, according to a former Norwich City favourite who played alongside him.

Holt bagged his 30th goal of the season against Stockport County on Monday - his 24th in the league - to help the Canaries move a step closer to the League One title and an instant return to the second tier of English football.

And his namesake, Gary Holt, who played alongside the front man at Nottingham Forest for a season after more than four years and 182 appearances for City, believes the 29-year-old can maintain his striking success in the Championship - though he warned that life in a higher division would be tougher than last year when they were relegated.

'Yeah, I think, so if he gets the service,' said the former Scotland international. 'That's the thing. You're going up a league again, another level and it's getting harder year by year in the Championship, so it'll be interesting to see.

'Teams coming to Norwich maybe sit in a little bit and defend and make it difficult. Teams next season will come to Carrow Road and attack from the first whistle so you've got to have players who can handle that and also play good football, so it'll be interesting times ahead.

'But just his work rate, his out and out work rate means he'll get into positions to score goals as long as you get the ball in the box you know you've got a chance.'

While the Canaries chase a championship, Holt 37, is on course to pick up a winners' medal of his own tomorrow with Lowestoft Town.

Since October the midfielder has been an integral part of the Blues squad which needs just one point from five games to be crowned Ryman League Division One North champions, and will hope to clinch the title at home to Cheshunt.

And although Holt admits he is enjoying his time at Crown Meadow, he is already weighing up his options for next season.

'I've been doing my coaching courses and I would like to get into the coaching side of things,' he said.

'I think I can still play and be a player-coach maybe or something, but it's a case of if the door knocks or the phone rings and somebody gives me a job. It's alright having your coaching qualifications but someone needs to give you a job. I'll give it a couple of months to see what's happening and if not I'll look down other avenues of what I can do.'

But whatever happens, the thrill of playing is still strong for the man nicknamed 'Three Lungs' during his time with City.

'Definitely and I think my performances have proved that,' he said. 'Age is only a number. I've certainly put in my shift like anybody else and I don't think anyone can lay any blame at my door for work rate.

'It's something I enjoy. People think I'm crazy to still be doing it, but like I said it's something I enjoy doing and it's football at the end of the day - I'd be playing pub football if needs be - and I'm grateful for the opportunity of playing for such a good side.'