Norwich City captain Russell Martin insists 10 clubs could be involved in the scrap for Championship promotion.

Martin was part of the last Canaries squad to go up from the second tier, but the 28-year-old feels this season's race is wide open.

Norwich can go joint top with a win over Bolton in Friday's televised Carrow Road test, despite a five-game winless run.

'It is definitely more open, without a shadow of a doubt. More teams are trying to play their way out of the league this time,' he said. 'When we were last in it, it was probably only ourselves and Swansea that really tried to get the ball on the deck and pass it. Don't get me wrong, there are still a few who are more direct, but a lot more try to pass the ball and play good football. It is a lot more competitive for sure. There's probably nine, 10 maybe even 11 teams just sitting in and around the top end of it who think they have a really good chance of promotion.

'Right now with parachute payments and a lot of the teams who have recently been in the Premier League it certainly makes things tougher.'

Martin is a key figure for City boss Neil Adams, with the Scotland international

operating at centre-back and full-back over the first part of the season.

'I have spoken to the gaffer and I know his preference, he knows mine. At the same time he has said he will do whatever he feels is best for the team on any given day,' he said. 'I think most of the season I will play in both positions. I don't mind and I am comfortable doing either.

'Wherever he asks me to play I will play. Physically it is not as demanding playing centre half as it is covering those distances. Any player would tell you they would rather settle in one position, but I think I have adapted to it quite well so far. I am fit, I feel really good and as long as that stays the same it will be fine.'