Hughton desperate to stay in EPL

The Canaries squad returned to Norfolk on Thursday after a warm-weather training break in Abu Dhabi which Hughton hopes will rejuvenate the group ahead of the closing 12 matches of what has been a campaign of extremes.

After failing to win any of the first seven league outings, Norwich then went on an unbeaten run from mid-October until it stuttered again losing all four of its top-flight games over Christmas and was then dumped out of the FA Cup at home by non-league Luton Town.

Hughton has at least been able to steady what looked a fast-sinking ship by guiding his men through three fixtures without defeat, albeit all draws and scoring just one goal.

Norwich hosts Everton when league action resumes on 23 February, and it will aim to protect a slender six-point cushion over third-bottom Reading.

Hughton knows from here on in, it is all about pushing through the fabled 40-points barrier by any means possible.

"We have got 12 games left, and whichever way we get the points, we have to get them," Hughton said.

"There is only one priority and target - to make sure we are in this league next season."

Hughton continued in an interview with United Arab Emirates-based daily sports newspaper Sport360: "We went through a difficult period at the beginning of the season, then a very good period where we didn't lose for 10 games, now we are finding wins that little bit harder.

"All you hope is to rectify that by doing the work on the training pitch. We are working on all aspects."

Hughton maintains the trip to the Middle East was not a holiday.

"It has been work," he said.

"We allowed them to play golf for one afternoon, but apart from that it has been training and very worthwhile.

"We would not be coming out here if we did not think it was of benefit to us."

Hughton handed January signings Luciano Becchio and Kei Kamara, on loan from Major League Soccer side Sporting Kansas City, home debuts against Fulham in a match which lacked spark in the final third from either team.

With captain Grant Holt set to be available again after a back spasm ruled him out of contention last weekend, Hughton could well deploy a double strike force against Everton in a big to get back on the goal trail.

Scotland winger Robert Snodgrass feels Holt and Becchio, his former team-mate at Leeds United, have the qualities to strike up a potent partnership.

"In the first couple of minutes against Fulham where I whipped one right across the face of goal, you would think with two strikers in there you have got a better chance of scoring," he said.

"It is up to the manager to decide how, but I know both Luciano and Grant are out-and-out goalscorers, so it only bodes well for us."