LEE CLARK believes relegated trio Norwich, Southampton and Charlton could all do a Leicester in League I next season.
The Foxes ensured their stay in the third tier was for one season only by storming to the title by a seven-point margin and with just four defeats in their 46 matches.
It’s a blueprint all three of the clubs who have dropped out of the Championship this time around will want to follow.
And Clark, who started last season as assistant manager of Norwich, believes they all have the potential to be major players in the promotion battle.
“They’re all big clubs with proud traditions, and while that doesn’t bring success, they have the staff and facilities which play a big part,” he said.
“I obviously know Norwich the best of the three, and I think they’ve made a good managerial appointment in Bryan Gunn, who has now done just about every job possible there, but I came across the other two while I was working at Carrow Road.
“Obviously adjustments will have to be made in the wake of relegation, and Southampton’s financial troubles have been well documented.
“But they all have some good young players on the books and the nucleus of strong squads, and Leicester showed how to respond to relegation in the best possible way.”
All three relegated clubs return to Town’s league fixture list after a lengthy absence, with Norwich last featuring in 2000-01, Charlton in 1999-2000 and Southampton way back in 1971-72.
“They’re three big names, and with Leeds still in League I as well, there will be some really attractive games to look out for,” added Clark.
