Norwich City's Championship promotion push has got the backing of Blackburn boss Gary Bowyer.

The Rovers' chief is convinced City can maintain their recent surge after watching Alex Neil's side complete a league double at Ewood Park.

The FA Cup quarter-finalists went ahead when Alex Baptiste powered a header past John Ruddy from Tom Cairney's free kick but the hosts were rocked by a second-half salvo from Cameron Jerome and Bradley Johnson's hammer strike.

Rovers suffered at the feet of Johnson in the corresponding league fixture at Carrow Road back in August, and the symmetry was not lost on Bowyer.

'Sometimes in football you have to say it's a wonder goal that has beaten you,' he said. 'I think on the first goal our reaction to losing the ball is poor and we didn't deal with the cross. The second goal I thought we defended the box and it gets rolled back to the lad and he has put his foot through it.

'To lose in that manner is tough to take. It's not a fluke from him because we experienced it from the same lad down at Carrow Road. The alarms bells were there for our boys but sometimes you just have to put your hands up and say what a wonderful strike it was. It was hugely disappointing for us because we put so much effort in and even at 2-1 the boys were still fighting at the end.'

Bowyer has been impressed with Norwich's charge under Neil.

'He has got them going now that is for sure,' said Bowyer. 'They would be one of my favourites (for promotion). They are a very good side. Look at the squad, not just starting XI, they're a fantastic team. They've got a great squad, the manager's doing a tremendous job and they've got that grit and winning mentality.

'Listen, if we said we got smashed we'd be the first to put our hands up but it's not through a lack of effort, its just a little edge that you need. Norwich is one of the best, if not the best in this division. You look at themselves, Derby and Bournemouth and you can see they have a great structure, geared up for the Premier League in my eyes.'