PAUL Wilkinson says the involvement of several senior players will benefit all involved when Norwich City Under-21s face Borussia Monchengladbach on Tuesday (7pm).

The Canaries contingent is set to include Declan Rudd, Ignasi Miquel, Javier Garrido and Sebastien Bassong, while Conor McGrandles and Josh Murphy are also in the matchday squad.

Tickets for Tuesday's game against Borussia Monchengladbach are FREE and can be booked HERE.

Their involvement for the Barclays Under-21s International Cup clash provides increased selection options for the hosts, and Development Squad coach Wilkinson told canaries.co.uk: "It will be nice for them to come into it, and we’ll have a good mixture with the boys which gives us a little bit more strength in areas.

"They know when they come into our team we expect them to perform the way we perform, so it will be a tough game for them as well. I'm sure every one of them will be truly professional in the way they approach it.

"We had Gary Hooper play a couple of games for us, and he’s progressed back into the first team. One or two of the others have dipped in and out at times, and it’s important for them they can come into somewhere where they’re playing in front of a crowd if they do need minutes."

The continental tournament offers something of a contrast from the regular schedule of the Barclays Under-21s Premier League, and Wilkinson added: "It’s terrific for the boys as it’s a little bit different facing a European team, which isn’t something we do on a regular basis.

"I saw them at Chelsea just before Christmas, and they’re a good team who are well organised, so it will be tough. They defend well and get into shape quickly, but we’re at home so hopefully can put on a good performance again.

"The lads have done really well since I came in, and we’ve managed to get three or four of them out on loan which is great for the Club and them. The only way they get those experiences is by doing things right on the big stage, such as tomorrow night.

"Those players who have been here and played for me have done very well, and now we need to try and maintain our form because we've got tough games coming up."

The young Canaries are undefeated in home fixtures across all competitons so far this season, with one factor behind such success being the consistently impressive following they can call upon at Carrow Road.

With crowds of over 8,000 rapidly becoming a regular feature, Wilkinson is eager to see such support continue, commenting: "The fans have been fantastic, and it's great for the boys because it creates a good atmosphere.

"It makes it like a first team game, and helps both sets of players. Every game I’ve had here there’s been an atmosphere, and the way the fans get behind the boys gives them that lift they need, which they really appreciate.

"Against Liverpool and Manchester United they backed us all the way, and it's great preparation for the players as they're going out on loan to places where they're not getting the crowds we get for these games."

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