Ton-up for Simon Lappin

Norwich City midfielder Simon Lappin is hoping the chance to celebrate one landmark against Cardiff this Saturday could see him match another.

The 27-year-old Scot, who was signed by Peter Grant on transfer deadline day alongside Mark Fotheringham at the end of January 2007 has been a regular since Paul Lambert took charge of the Canaries early last season.

The left-sided midfielder cost just �75,000 from St Mirren – and at the weekend he should be celebrating his 100th City appearance with the Canaries facing a daunting trip to high flying Cardiff City.

Of Lambert's current City squad, only Canaries stalwart Adam Drury has more appearances.

Lappin will also hope the opposition and the occasion at the weekend are good omens as he looks to bag his first goal in almost 80 games – at the expense of the side he last struck against.

The Scot's 12th minute strike from distance caught out wandering goalkeeper Ross Turnbull, but was not enough to prevent a 2-1 Norwich defeat at Carrow Road in September 2007.

Since then, Lappin has resurrected his Norwich career after loan spell at Motherwell – when he scored two goals in 14 appearances – and first team isolation under former Norwich boss, Glenn Roeder.

Lappin was City's top creator on the way to their League One crown last season and has been getting close to scoring in recent weeks, but his wait to add to three City strikes continues.

However, the size of the task ahead of Lappin and Norwich this weekend was emphasised by Cardiff's 4-0 thrashing of Leeds United at Elland Road.

A Jay Bothroyd brace plus goals from Michael Chopra and Lee Naylor did the damage, but Cardiff manager Dave Jones reminded his players too keep their feet on the ground having gone level on points with Championship leaders Queens Park Rangers after their impressive victory – two places and six points ahead of the Canaries.

'It's early days, we're 13 games in and we've a long, long way to go,' said Jones. 'We need to keep everybody fit, we've got Danny Drinkwater back this week and we've got to get Quinny (Paul Quinn) back in, we took one or two knocks tonight and are still running with a small squad.

'Everybody within the camp is doing their best. It's nice to come to a place like this and put on a performance on TV. They just need to keep their feet on the ground.'

Jones was keen to stress his side was not just a one-trick pony after Norwich youth product and Wales international Craig Bellamy enjoyed his fifth win in as many matches for his hometown team.

Jones added: 'We have a shape. It's not just about four or five players in the box. Nayls (Lee Naylor) scored today, the other full-back's up there.

'Sometimes I scream for them not to go forward – at one time I think we had seven players in and around their box – the big fella Seyi (Olofinjana) does his job and the two centre-halves I thought were superb along with the goalkeeper.

'With them coming off the back of a couple of losses, they were fired up and we had to match that and that's what earned us the right to get the ball down.'

• CITY'S CURRENT LEADING APPEARANCE MAKERS:

Adam Drury 334

Simon Lappin 99

Chris Martin 92

Wes Hoolahan 91

Grant Holt 59 35