Paul Lambert defended his selections after watching Norwich slip out of the FA Cup in today's 2-1 fifth round defeat to Championship outfit Leicester City at Carrow Road.

The Foxes were full value for a quarter-final spot courtesy of goals from Sean St Ledger and David Nugent in either half. Wes Hoolahan had drawn Norwich level before the interval after Kasper Schmeichel initially saved his spot kick, but the Canaries were second best for the majority of the contest.

Lambert confirmed afterwards both captain Grant Holt and Kyle Naughton had been rested for the Premier League battles ahead with Jed Steer preferred to John Ruddy, but the City chief insisted his line up had been strong enough to prevail.

'Disappointed, obviously, but good luck to Leicester in the next round,' said Lambert. 'The main thing for me is that this football club stays in the Premier League. We tried everything to get through. I knew Leicester would be tough. I never look at a game and think it will be easy - never have done - but we just didn't do enough to progress. Listen, you can't take anything away from Leicester City. They deserved to go through on the day.

'We've got a few lads to come back for next week and hopefully we'll have a big squad to pick from. I don't think leaving out Grant or Ruddy or anyone made any difference because everyone else in my own view is good enough to play. If I thought that then Naughton would have played, Holt would have played, Ruddy would have played. We just never did enough to go through.'