James Vaughan gives Norwich City boss Paul Lambert some consolation

James Vaughan's first Premier League start for the club was the only positive for Paul Lambert.

The 23-year-old looked hungry to impress in a 60-minute outing after a debut Norwich campaign framed by a succession of injuries.

Vaughan featured prominently during the Canaries' brightest spell in the first period, but miscued his best chance to score from Andrew Surman's athletic cut back. Lambert hopes the striker's Ewood outing can be the precursor to an injury-free seasonal finale.

'Yes, that is the one positive thing to come out of the game,' he said, with the City chief also confirming Simeon Jackson's omission from the match day squad was purely for tactical reasons.

'To get James back was great and for that spell I thought he did really, really fine. He looked a handful. He has had a terrible period (with injuries) but I hope he can get a nice run now. I hope so. He has had some hard times with injuries. The injuries have been quite harsh on him at certain times, but for him to get back out there and play was the one good thing.'

The former Evertonian will be desperate for another chance to impress against his old Merseyside rivals when City aim to bounce back this weekend against Liverpool. The Canaries also face Arsenal and Aston Villa over the run-in – two clubs who need points for vastly contrasting reasons.

'All we can do now is just try to win the next game against Liverpool. We have to,' said Lambert. 'Too many come to watch us to think we have made it or we have arrived.

'If you play in front of a big crowd you have to perform. That is why you have to keep going, but the lads have been brilliant.'