Norwich City manager Neil Adams has admitted that he and the players are 'hurting' after it was all but confirmed that the club will be relegated to the Championship.

The Canaries are expected to join Fulham and Cardiff City in the drop after Sunderland secured their safety with a 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday.

"It hurts a lot for myself and the players," Adams said in Friday's press conference. "The Premier League is the best league in the world and we have slipped out of it.

"I feel this club deserves to be in the Premier League. Hopefully in a year we will be back in there. There is a good core group of players, with regards the application and desire, we could not have asked for more."

Adams was appointed as interim boss following the sacking of Chris Hughton last month.