‘I pride myself on being the best left-back in the Championship and I think I am’ SAYS NORWICH’S JAMAL LEWIS

NORWICH defender Jamal Lewis admits the Canaries may have to change their expansive style if they finish the job this season and win promotion to the Premier League.

The Carrow Road outfit are four points clear at the top of the Championship and with eight games left are primed to move into the top flight.

Lewis, 21, has proved to be a key figure for Norwich boss Daniel Farke.

He is also one of the first names on Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland team sheet and having impressed in Thursday’s 2-0 home victory over Estonia he will line up again tonight in a Euro 2020 qualifier at Windsor Park against Belarus.

Luton-born Lewis, who qualifies for Northern Ireland through his mum, is a confident young man and quite openly says he feels he is the left-back in the Championship, though points out he will need to improve should he come up against Premier League wingers next season.

“I try and pride myself on being the best left-back in the Championship and I think I am the best left-back in the Championship,” said Lewis.

“It helps playing in such a good team that has possession of the ball a lot. We play very expansive football at Norwich which allows me to get forward and show what I can do with the ball.

“That suits my game and obviously with the team being top of the league that helps too.

“The lads have done really well and it would be great to be part of something special this season. At the moment we are just focusing on the task in hand.

“We know Premier League football is a whole different level. With Norwich, our right-back might be playing almost right wing and I might almost be playing left wing at the same time. In Premier League football we may have to adapt a little bit with the added quality.

“Maybe – especially with wingers in the Premier League – there is a big difference individually and they take their chances.

“There’ll be a lot of adaption needed and that will happen in the pre-season if we go up – I’m relishing the challenge.

“I love it at Norwich and a dream for me would be to go up and play in the Premier League with them. I’ve enjoyed the changing room this season, it’s really close-knit and together.

“I also relish being involved with Northern Ireland. It’s a delight every time I’m called up and my aim is to help them make it to a major championship,” added Lewis, who says he has no regrets about opting to play for O’Neill’s team, even though Gareth Southgate may one day have come calling.

Lewis studies left-backs in a bid to improve his own game but his honest assessment is that world-class players in his position are few and far between, stating that Liverpool’s Andy Robertson is as good as anyone right now.

“Robbo is getting there for being the most complete left-back in Europe,” said Lewis. “Every time I watch him he just gets better and better – he’s a really good player.

“I have this discussion with my friends and team-mates all the time. I don’t think there are many world-class left-backs out there but for the likes of Marcelo at Real Madrid and Alex Sandro for Juventus.

“I like Sead Kolasinac at Arsenal. I admire the left-backs who have that real end product that can affect the game. I love Kolasinac’s end product and his crossing and runs but he’s not very good at defending.

“I take little pieces from left-backs I think can improve my game. Maybe I look at more defensive-minded players and see how I can improve.

“I try and incorporate many people but definitely I like the flashy left-backs to see how much impact they can have on a game.”