Neil Adams will demand Norwich City play with their heads rather than their hearts to combat the intensity of an East Anglian derby against Ipswich.

Adams is braced for a white-hot atmosphere at Portman Road in the first cross-border skirmish since City's 5-1 Championship win in 2011.

'I've played in many of these and it is 100mph from the start. Both teams want to get off to a good start and if you don't keep your discipline you can pick up early cautions and red cards,' he said. 'You don't want players getting needless early bookings or worse because that puts you under pressure.

'We have to be careful of that; as much as we don't want to go too far the other way and be cautious. We need to start strongly and be as intense as we can, while maintaining the discipline.

'We would rather this game was taking place in the Premier League, of course, but I don't think it makes any difference the fact it comes so early in the season. We feel we are a Premier League-size club with a top flight fan base and we need to be back up there, so we have to win these type of games.'

The City manager is confident he has the heavy armour to compliment the creativity should Ipswich look to try and disrupt the visitors. Alex Tettey's burgeoning double act alongside Bradley Johnson has been a key factor in two home victories.

'I think the pair of them have been on top form,' said Adams. 'The two have complimented each other very well.

'Bradley has a really powerful shot in training but we've obviously seen the two dinks in those recent games but with Alex being in there he has a little bit more licence to get forward when we are attacking.

'With Bradley's shooting ability in and around the box we have a dangerous weapon and Bradley himself probably feels with Alex in the team he has that insurance behind him.'