Norwich City boss ready for Declan Rudd start
Last updated on .From the section Football
Norwich City boss Paul Lambert has no concerns about handing young keeper Declan Rudd his first Premier League start on Sunday.
The 20-year-old will line-up against West Brom at Carrow Road, replacing the suspended John Ruddy.
"There's been games where I've played him before and he's never let me down," Lambert told BBC Radio Norfolk.
"He's never let himself down more importantly, so I don't have a problem about throwing him in."
Rudd, an England Under-20 and Under-19 international, got his first taste of top-flight action two weeks ago when Ruddy was sent off in the 3-1 defeat by Chelsea.
Since making his City debut in League One against Gillingham two years ago, he has tallied 13 appearances.
And the Norfolk-born shot stopper has received the full backing of team-mates Leon Barnett and Chris Martin.
"Dec will do just fine, he's a big lad and he can handle the pressure, he's played for England Under-20s so I'm sure he can handle it," said defender Barnett, who is likely to play in front of Rudd against the Baggies.
"It's a massive learning curve for him and hopefully he can take positives from the game."
Striker Martin, a fellow Norwich academy product, added: "I think he's got the confidence to deal with the situation.
"We know his pedigree here at Norwich, I'm sure a few other people do as well across the country who have seen him play for England."
