Canaries will keep up the fight, vows Pinto

Norwich City could be relegated on Wednesday night – even if they win their penultimate game of the season against Watford.

Sunderland’s superb comeback victory over Chelsea on Saturday means a win for Sam Allardyce’s men over faltering Everton on the same night will relegate Alex Neil’s Canaries.

Norwich defender Ivo Pinto, who arrived in the January transfer window, insists the players will continue to show the passion to fight for survival, even against the ever-lengthening odds.

“Every game which passes makes it harder but we have to keep fighting,” he said.

“We need to start winning games. We have an opportunity on Wednesday which we can’t waste; we have to get three points.

“We need to keep together as a team, which we are. While it is possible, we won’t quit and stop fighting.”

A lack of goals is a key reason for the Carrow Road side’s troubles, with Norwich failing to score for a fourth straight game as they lost 1-0 at home to Manchester United on Saturday.

Cameron Jerome had an early header, which he directed straight at David de Gea. Neil said: “You would expect if that ball comes into our box and they get a free header from that distance then you’re fearing the worst.

“They’re the type of opportunities and chances that when other teams get them against us end up in the back of the net. Unfortunately for us we don’t seem to finish them.”

The ex-Hamilton boss added: “It’s not over, but it’s a major blow. It’s a repeat of our season. There’s been so many times across the season where we’ve been well in the game, played pretty well at certain stages.

“It’s off the back of another mistake that has been quite commonplace for us this year. It’s tested my patience for a long time. They’re not trying to do it, but when you’re maybe under pressure and not performing, sometimes those errors can creep in.”

Midfielder Jonny Howson will miss the Watford and Everton games with a knee ligament injury.