Lambert reveals chairman snub

Lambert will do battle with the Canaries for the first time since he quit Carrow Road at the end of last season to take charge at Villa.

Lambert and Norwich are suing each other for breach of contract and the matter will be decided by a Premier League manager's tribunal.

But Lambert was upset last month when Bowkett made the matter public at a fans' forum and claimed he had left all of his previous clubs in a similar manner.

Lambert insists his action is only a counter-claim to Norwich's charge that he breached his contract when resigning five months ago.

When asked about Bowkett's claims, Lambert said: "I don't know because I've never spoken to the chairman for about three years.

"Perhaps that is a bit of an exaggeration, maybe two. It's a good chunk of time. Why? That's football. Let him talk. We will see what happens."

Lambert has the backing of the League Manager's Association and is confident he will win his case.

He said: "Could I have handled leaving Norwich any differently? Me, not at all. I took advice from the LMA and I know what is going on.

"It will be in the hands of a Premier League manager's tribunal and hopefully it will be sorted. But I've got nothing to be ashamed of. I've got nothing to hide."

Lambert looks back with pride on steering Norwich to successive promotions but is unsure what reception he will receive from its fans.

He said: "When you leave a club, especially after what we'd done, you'd think we'd be made to feel welcome But it doesn't always transpire that way. I look back at the three years with pride.

"It was an incredible part of my life which I'll never forget and the crowd were magic with me.

"Football moves on but I'll never forget the time there. I loved my time there but I don't think I'll be made welcome to go back, that's for sure."