Given Dean Smith joked after beating Everton he had not looked at the Premier League table in two months the psychological impact of repeating that feat at Watford elicited a similar response.

The Canaries would move out of the bottom three for the first time in 50 top flight matches, should they edge what is sure to be a fraught affair on Friday night at Vicarage Road.

“The most important time to get out of there is after the 38th game. The important thing for me is we are keeping a group in and around us, and we have to make sure we try and collect as many points as we can so there are three below us at the end,” said Smith.

“The incentive is more to beat a team that's just above us. We know there is a small cluster at the moment who are all fighting to get out of the relegation places.

"We've got the chance to beat a rival in a similar position. They haven’t had a win for a while but have brought in new players and seem to have a spring in their step, in terms of recent performances.

"We've got to make sure we are at our best and just concentrate on beating the next team in front of us, not what that means for the table.”

Smith did concede it feels like more than simply three points on offer.

“Before the Everton game I did say to the players it wasn't quite the be all end all game, but it was getting that way,” he said. “Getting the win probably takes a little bit more pressure off us now going into this game, but we all know how important this game is. It can do a lot for both teams, should they win it.

"We knew how important the Everton game was. We had to break that run we were on. We needed action from the players, and we need action again.

"We had a really good intensity, a really good structure, good discipline within our structure as well, and we need more of the same because they are an attacking threat. We have seen Watford cause some of the top teams in this league a problem.”

Smith’s former club, Aston Villa, lost at Watford on the opening day of the season. Ismaila Sarr, who tormented the Canaries at Carrow Road in the corresponding fixture, and Emmanuel Dennis, who was also on the scoresheet, were key figures for the Hornets but Sarr is unavailable.

City travel in buoyant mood after the manner of their Toffees’ victory.

“I feel there's been a bit more of a spring in the step around the training ground this week. That's what a performance and a win can do for you,” said the Norwich boss. “I felt that the squad was getting back to a healthier and stronger position, but beating Everton certainly lifted the place.

"We’d obviously gone six league games without a win, six league games without a goal. We had a bit of fortune with the own goal, but the performance deserved the result. It will do wonders for the confidence of the players.

"I felt our performance was better against West Ham, and that continued with some key players back in the fold.

“Yes, we got beat there at the start of the season with Aston Villa, and Dennis and Sarr were the main protagonists, so we're fortunate that Sarr is not available. But Dennis is certainly one that we have to be very aware of.

“I think all three of their January signings played against Newcastle, last game, so there'll be finding their way. I've been impressed. Obviously, they haven't had the results of late but watching the games they're certainly played to a standard we have to be very careful.

"The fact that they're around us highlights the importance of the game. We don't want a team getting out of our sight. We want to make sure that they're losing points in and around us as well.”

Christoph Zimmermann is poised to take a huge step forward in his return from a long term ankle lay-off on Friday night with 45 minutes for the development squad.

Zimmermann has only played once this season in the League Cup home win over Bournemouth before finally having surgery on a long standing ankle issue.

With Tim Krul now, Grant Hanley needing injections to play and Andrew Omobamidele also still out, Zimmermann’s defensive return against Burnley’s Under-23s at Colney could be well timed.

Dean Smith did confirm on Thursday both Max Aarons and Brandon Williams are fit for Watford after late exits against Everton.

“Both fine. Max has got an awful lot of stick from the players for walking off on crutches at the end and training on the Tuesday,” said Smith. “He’s fit and ready to play and, and likewise, Brandon just came off with cramp.

“Christoph has also been training with us, which is good. He's such an enthusiastic and bright person to have around. He wanted to come to this game but I felt it was more important for him to get some minutes so he's going to play a half for the 23s. He's on the comeback trail now, which will be good for us.”