NEIL Lennon believes Norwich City will return to the Premier League, albeit with a mighty scare from Wanderers this afternoon.

With little to play for, the Whites boss is quite content to cause mischief in the top six between now and the end of the season with the promotion-chasing Canaries the first of three big-hitters to come for his side in the final five games.

Brentford and Bournemouth also have aspirations of promotion – but Lennon believes the depth and quality of squad available to Alex Neil gives him an advantage over the others at the top.

“I've always said Norwich will go up and still think they will,” he told The Bolton News. “Then it's one from Middlesbrough, Watford and Bournemouth.

“Bournemouth and Watford have been great to watch while Middlesbrough have been more pragmatic in their approach but they're still a strong team. For me it will be Norwich and one other.”

Lennon need only look at Norwich’s bench in recent weeks to make a judgement.

His ex-Celtic charge Gary Hooper – linked heavily with Wanderers at the end of last year – has started only three of the last 10 games, as Neil sticks to the 4-2-3-1 formation which has served him well.

The likes of Gary O’Neill and Nathan Redmond come into contention today with free-scoring midfielder Bradley Johnson suspended.

But Lennon also revealed he tried to bring Canaries front man Kyle Lafferty – formerly of Glasgow Rangers and Burnley – to the Macron in the previous transfer window before he was loaned out to Turkish club Caykur Rizespor.

“He has been banging in the goals for his country but he’s been loaned out, such is the depth they have,” he said “Some people might have forgotten he was there, but I didn’t. I asked about him but we couldn't afford him.”

Hooper was instantly attached as a transfer target when Lennon came to Wanderers last October as he languished on the Norwich bench under Neil Adams.

He quickly returned to the side, scoring 10 goals in the promotion push this season, but has been overlooked for Cameron Jerome in recent weeks.

“Hooper could be the best player in the Championship,” Lennon enthused. “I know what a class player he is and seeing him in and out of the team shows their strength in depth.

“Maybe Alex wants to play a different way. Gary's better playing in a two or off a striker and looking at their recent line-ups, Alex likes a different style but it's certainly working.

“It's a bonus that Bradley Johnson is suspended, he'll be a loss to them but they can plug the gaps.”

In the opposite dugout will be Neil, the Championship’s second-youngest manager at 33, who has impressed Lennon both with his work north of the border at Hamilton, and since his arrival at Norwich in January.

“Hamilton are a very good template for things in Scotland,” he said. “He did brilliantly last year to get them promoted – their two games against Hibs were amazing, 2-0 down at home and then turned it round.

“They made a great start to the season in the Premier League, and for someone so young he has done very well.

“There were a lot of raised eyebrows when he came in but he’s answered a lot of those doubters – you can see the job he’s doing there. Granted he’s got the best squad in the Championship but you’ve still got to manage them and he’s got them in a good position.”

Monday’s win against Cardiff City leaves Wanderers 16th and five points off the top half of the table.

Lennon’s unofficial target is to reach 59 points – matching last season’s haul under Dougie Freedman, which is no mean feat, considering the job he inherited.

To gain another 10 points in the next five games is a tall order but with any suggestion of relegation now well and truly banished, Lennon is looking to see which of his players will step up for the cause.

“The pressure is off us now and it might mean we haven’t got a lot to play for but we can put a dent in others’ aspirations. We have to be as professional as we can, and we will be,” he said.

“It’s the last five games and I want performances like we put in on Monday. At the same time I’m putting in place things for next season.

“You’d have to say overall it’s been disappointing. There are some high points to it, but not enough for our liking.

“I want to finish this season strongly and have a say in who gets promoted and who doesn’t.”