MARK NICHOLLS The final countdown is underway for pop superstar Elton John's long-awaited appearance at Carrow Road this Sunday.

MARK NICHOLLS

The final countdown is underway for pop superstar Elton John's long-awaited appearance at Carrow Road.

And there's every hope that the success of the event could pave the yellow brick road for a number of other high-profile concerts at the Norwich City football ground.

With 20,000 tickets sold, yet a few more still available, a massive stage was tonight taking shape in front of the Jarrold Stand.

And the pitch had taken on a white hue as plastic sheeting was laid over the grass to preserve the sacred, and highly-expensive, playing surface for next season's Championship campaign.

Carrow Road is the third venue on Elton's UK tour, following a show at the Madejski Stadium in Reading last night and another at St Mary's stadium in Southampton on Saturday.

With Lulu billed to warm up the crowd, Elton John and his band are expected to deliver a string of old classics as well as material from his new album Peachtree Road.

Norwich City spokesman Joe Ferrari today said preparations for the event had gone extremely well.

“This is the first time in a long time that a concert such as this has been staged at Carrow Road and everyone is looking forward to a great show.

“Hopefully, with 20,000-plus people expected, it will lead to further concerts of this nature coming to Norfolk,” he said.

Concert organisers have been laying the white sheeting onto the pitch for seating to avoid the playing surface being chewed up by concert-goers.

Mr Ferrari said: “The pitch was re-laid at the beginning of last season at a cost of £600,000.

“It has received considerable praise form other clubs and stood up well and these steps need to be taken to ensure that quality is retained come August.”

t There are still tickets available for the show on Sunday. They can be bought by calling 0870 060 0244 or online at www.seetickets.com Alternatively, you can call into the Carrow Road ticket office on Sunday from 1pm.

t For those who can't make it, extracts from the concert are set to be broadcast immediately after the show on BBC Radio Norfolk.