FORMER Blackburn Rovers defender Martin Olsson insists his Norwich City side are equipped for Premier League survival after they booked an instant return to the top-flight.

The Canaries beat Middlesbrough 2-0 at Wembley on Monday and Olsson, who almost joined West Brom in January, admits he is pleased he ended up staying at Carrow Road as he plots a Premier League campaign with Alex Neil’s side.

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“That’s football, I didn’t know if I was going to stay but it turned out well,” he said.

“I told everyone I liked the club and after January I stayed and didn’t moan, I just worked hard and we’re here now.

“I think we are stronger now than last season as a team and if we play like we have been playing we’ll be alright in the Premier League.”

Olsson believes manager Neil’s astronomical rise is not down to luck after Norwich’s play-off glory, comparing the Scot with his former Ewood Park boss Sam Allardyce.

“Since January we have lost just three games and it shows it’s no luck,” said the left-back.

“He is a very tough manager, very fair as well. His game plan since he’s come in, it has been working for the players.

“I think he is pretty similar to Sam Allardyce. He is tough and wants his players to work hard. Of course it’s a different type of football but mentally, the way he wants us to set up and work, is maybe a bit similar to Sam.”

Boss Neil has won 17 out of 25 games since taking charge in January when Norwich were seventh in the table and seven points off the automatic promotion spots.

They finished third, one point behind the top two, but wrapped up a top flight return at Wembley 12 months after relegation thanks to goals from Cameron Jerome and Nathan Redmond.

And Olsson revealed the squad watched their 1-0 defeat to Boro in April at least 10 times in Neil’s meticulous approach for Wembley glory.

“We had a game plan and it worked well.

“Our team was more experienced than theirs.”