FA Youth Cup-winning defender Ben Wyatt is keen to be role-model for his less experienced team-mates when Norwich City’s defence of their title begins against Preston North End this Wednesday (7pm).

Neil Adams’ Under-18s make the long trip to Deepdale hoping to set off on a journey akin to last year, when they secured their first triumph in the competition for 30 years with a memorable two-legged Final victory over Chelsea.

Wyatt was a key part of that squad and is brimming with anticipation about having another crack at the FA Youth Cup this term.

“We’ve done all the preparation now, so we just want to get on the pitch and get going. We’re itching to start,” he said when speaking exclusively to canaries.co.uk.

“It’s nice because last season I was the youngest in the team and the older players were so good to us and helped us get through.

“Now we’ve had the experience of playing in front of the crowds, we can offer a hand to the first-years and help them gel with the team.”

Norwich-born Wyatt points to playing at the Canaries’ home ground in the latter stages of last year’s competition as his personal highlight of the team’s run – he admits he’s looking forward to running out at Deepdale on Wednesday night.

“I haven’t been there myself yet – it will be amazing to go there and they got a decent crowd there in the First Round, so that will be nice,” he added.

“The highlight’s got to be Carrow Road and having 22,500 at your home ground, but then again the away trip in the final too where everyone was screaming and shouting was great.

“All the younger lads who watched us win it last year will want a bit of it as well, so everyone’s eager to get on the pitch and get going now.”

For a full list of Norwich City Under-18s player profiles, click HERE.

To see how Neil Adams' youngsters have been getting on this season, click HERE.

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