Lambert - Exit could benefit us

The Canaries suffered a 2-1 upset to Championship side Leicester at Carrow Road on Saturday which sent them crashing out of the fifth round.

Lambert's men lie eighth in the Premier League and have all but guaranteed survival after producing some impressive form this term.

But the manager insists the league is top of Norwich's priorities following their promotion last season.

"It (the cup defeat) will be a blessing in disguise if we stay in the league," said Lambert.

Staying up

"No-one would pat us on the back if we got to the quarter-finals of the cup and got relegated.

"I don't think the FA Cup is a discredited competition. But I wouldn't have wanted to do well in the FA Cup and get relegated at the end of the season."

Lambert had made four changes from the side which beat fellow Premier League newcomers Swansea away last weekend.

He added: "I picked a team I thought would win and that's my fault."

The manager admits he had no complaints with the result, adding: "We didn't do enough. Leicester deserved to go through and good luck to them. We never performed."