Paul Lambert will be keeping his fingers crossed that inspirational skipper Grant Holt will be fit to play a full part in the promotion run-in after he finished last night's full-blooded performance at Vicarage Road clutching his left thigh.

The City boss is hoping Holt – who was 30 yesterday – was suffering nothing more than cramp as he limped through the final six minutes of a pulsating 2-2 draw with City old boy Malky Mackay's Watford side, a result which saw the Canaries drop a place to third in the table.

'I am just hoping it's cramp – I am not a doctor or anything,' said Lambert. 'Mother nature will dictate. I just hope he is going to be okay. If he's not then the lads will give me everything they have got.'

Lambert lost Korey Smith to an eye infection on the morning of the game, but there was better news on Wes Hoolahan, who missed out with a hamstring problem but could be ready for Friday, when Nottingham Forest come to Carrow Road.

'Wes is not too far – he is doing great and I am hoping he will be okay for Friday,' added Lambert.

City had gone ahead inside two minutes thanks to loan striker Sam Vokes, but needed a Simeon Jackson equaliser after the break to rescue the point that their second-half performance deserved.

'I thought we were excellent second half,' said Lambert. 'First half we got off to a terrific start and then Watford came right back into the game and pinned us back. We never got going after that, but we got them in at half-time, regrouped and I thought they were excellent.'

Holt stung keeper Scott Loach's fingertips twice in the second half while the keeper did superbly to keep out a Jackson header as City went full blast for the win.

'I am disappointed not to win because I thought we had the chances to do it, but performance wise the substitutes were terrific, the lads who came on, and it has been a big, big effort the last few days and we have another huge game on Friday (against Nottingham Forest).'