Neil Adams warns Norwich City will be marked men in the Championship as he looks to play a key role in getting the club back at the first attempt.

Adams is in the frame to lead that revival, along with former team-mate Malky Mackay, as City's board strive to appoint a new management team after relegation from the Premier League. Dropping out of the top flight in 2005 triggered a decline which saw the Canaries slip into the third tier for the first time in 50 years and Adams is well aware of the dangers if they are not ready for the challenge.

He said: 'It is a tough, tough league. One thing is for sure we are not going to bounce back because everyone lets us. It is a tough league to get out of with some many teams who have dropped out of the Premier League. We have seen teams who have been relegated and went down again. We have done it. We are only too well aware of what is required. Hopefully that is the one message everyone needs to buy into and that is why it is vitally important we keep as many as the players we want as we can because there are good players here.'

Adams believes City must take on board the success of newly-promoted duo Leicester and Burnley.

'There will be teams who you can play off the park but there are also teams who you will have to grind down and pick up a result when needs be,' he said.

'We have seen that with the likes of Leicester and Burnley, who have played good football this year and have also played games I have seen where they have not reached anything like those capabilities, but they have got a result and that is the Championship season. Over the course of 46 games you will be tested in every department and you have to step up and be ready for it.'

The FA Youth Cup winning coach believes the club's emerging talent can make an impression after handing Jamar Loza his senior debut in the Premier League finale against Arsenal. The Canaries have also recently given new professional deals to fellow academy products Remi Matthews and Adel Gafaiti.

'Are younger players more ready to play first team football in the Championship than in the Premier League? You would have to say that is the case,' he said.

'There was a good youth team for certain and we also have under-21 players who have been out and got experience on loan. It certainly opens the door.'ddy