Tom Adeyemi signed professional terms with the Canaries

Norwich City begin their FA Youth Cup campaign in the third round against Wigan at Carrow Road on Wednesday.

The Canaries are hoping for a bumper crowd after more than seven thousand saw the club's reserve team beat Arsenal a fortnight ago.

Wigan are managed by Dave Watson who captained The Canaries in the 1985 Milk Cup final at Wembley.

Norwich have not won the competition since 1983 when they beat Everton in the final.

Striker Luke Daley, who scored a hat-trick in the 4-2 win over The Gunners second string, cannot play because at 19 he is over age.

Kris Renton, who also scored against Arsenal, and midfielder Damon Lathrope are also ineligible.

Midfielder Tom Adeyemi is expected to start the match having recently signed professional terms with City.

He told BBC Radio Norfolk: "It's an important competition because it will give our players the chance to play at big stadiums and play competitive football."

The 17-year-old has caught the eye of manager Glenn Roeder this season and, along with winger Korey Smith, he travelled with the first team to Hillsborough for Saturday's 3-2 defeat by Sheffield Wednesday.

"Three weeks ago I was just scholar and I was working hard trying to impress the first team and now I've got my professional contract and I've been given some good opportunities," said Adeyemi.

The tie kicks off at 1900 GMT at Carrow Road on Wednesday, 3 December 2008.

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