No regrets and no jealousy from Dean Smith towards Newcastle United ahead of Norwich City’s latest ‘must-win’ Premier League test at Carrow Road.

The Magpies have surged to safety following a Saudi-backed takeover, and a reported £90m January transfer window outlay under Eddie Howe.

City are now effectively nine points from safety with six games left, but Smith is not envious of Newcastle’s vast spending power.

“We had a January window where we've promoted a couple of players from the under-23s. They had a January window where they spent £90m. That's the world we're in,” he said. “That's the Premier League but we knew the remit and we're working hard to stay in this league. We understand the league we're in.

"We understand the infrastructure around this football club, and we spent last summer to try and build and buy potential. But at some point that potential has to go and fulfil itself.

“It'd be lovely to have the funds that these other clubs possess but we knew the remit and we're happy with the remit. We're not happy with our league position, but we are quite balanced here as a football club. While there is a chance of staying in this league we've got to give it our all.”

City were above Newcastle when the teams drew 1-1 in the Premier League on Tyneside in the early part of Smith’s tenure. But the Canaries’ boss does not still rue a missed opportunity against 10 men for 80 minutes at St James’ Park in late-November.

Teemu Pukki’s thumping half-volley salvaged a point, although Pierre Lees-Melou could have sealed the victory when he was put through with only home keeper Martin Dubravka to beat in stoppage time.

“Pierre had that big chance in the last minute that could have won us the game but a more pivotal moment for me was the home game against Aston Villa, when we probably shouldn't have played,” said Smith. “We had five players who dropped out on the day of the game.

"We'd just had a really good performance against Manchester United the week before, and we were quite buoyant and probably played a game that we shouldn't.

"After that we went on a really poor run where we lost some of our big players to illness. That run was hard to turn around at that time because the squad was stretched. All clubs go through those periods, but it is how you come through.”