Jose Mourinho’s men secured their first trophy of the season when they lifted the Carling Cup last weekend with their 3-2 win over Liverpool, while rivals United narrowed the gap at the top.

The clash against the Canaries tomorrow is in the evening, meaning the gap could be just three points when the leaders kick-off at Carrow Road.

But Drogba cheekily said: “We have won the title. This season we are the best. Everybody knows we are now six points in front of United but we have one game in hand so we will do our best to keep the nine points and keep the distance.

“Okay, Manchester United are playing well and there is still Arsenal of course. But I think we are the best team.”

Gary Doherty could return for Norwich, despite the Republic of Ireland international being left out for Monday’s home defeat to Manchester City because Worthington felt other players offered him more options.

The 25-year-old wants to concentrate on being a defender after being utilised as a striker in the past, and his manager insists that counted against him when he picked his squad to face City.

“He doesn’t want to play as a striker so there is no point putting someone on the bench when they can’t play another role,” said boss Nigel Worthington.

“I decided to leave him out because I felt there were mistakes being made. They were not all down to Gary but I felt a change was required.”

Darren Huckerby is a doubt with a calf injury.

Newcastle meet Liverpool at St James’ Park, looking to make it five wins in a row.

Only one of their four recent victories – the 2-1 defeat of Bolton at St James’ Park last Sunday – has come in the league however.

Recent successes have boosted confidence and although they continue to leak goals, Newcastle have not conceded more than one in a single match in their last 13, and that is a measure of the organisation Souness is trying to impose.

“It is not only the defence’s problem, it is the whole team,” said £8m (€6.1m) centre-back Jean-Alain Boumsong.

“When we do not concede too many goals, it is not only because the defence is good, it is because the whole team is working to keep our goal safe.

“At the moment, we are working hard together and if we continue like that, we will have a good defence.”

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is confident the Reds will bounce back in style from their Carling Cup final disappointment, as they look to intensify their rivalry with Everton for the fourth Champions League place.

He said: “I do not think the Carling Cup result should be a big problem for the rest of our season. We must recover quickly from the final, that is the most important thing.

“If we can do that it won’t be a problem. Once we get over the final and start to concentrate on the Newcastle game it will be different for the players. We still have a lot to work for and, as I told the players after Sunday’s game, they have a lot to be proud of.”

Everton hold an eight-point advantage over Liverpool going into the weekend and the Toffees have home advantage against Blackburn for Sunday’s match.

Defender David Weir revealed how Everton’s collective spirit has helped them overcome the losses of Wayne Rooney and Thomas Gravesen since the start of the season.

“There is great bonding here, we are a small squad, limited numbers and everyone knows they have a chance of playing,” said Weir.

“There is nobody out in the cold who is a million miles away from the team. Everyone has a chance of playing, and that is always nice.”

Boss David Moyes has minor fitness doubts over skipper Alan Stubbs and Scottish winger James McFadden for the home clash with Rovers, but the manager sees the arrival of Mikel Arteta as key to Everton’s recovery from losing Gravesen.

Moyes says: “We have been really looking for a new balance and blend through the middle of the park.

“Mikel coming in has offered us something and that balance was good on Saturday when we won at Aston Villa.”

Blackburn’s Kiwi defender Ryan Nelsen cannot wait to get stuck into Everton - because it is the tough matches he relishes most.

Nelsen has been a revelation since he signed from American side DC United in January and was named as Blackburn captain for the FA Cup win against Burnley on Tuesday, in place of the suspended Andy Todd.

Everton now await, and Nelsen insists Rovers are not overawed by the Merseysiders’ form this season – nor their 3-1 win at Aston Villa last weekend.

Nelsen said: “They were very impressive last weekend, and it’s going to be another hard game. But that’s what we like.

“That’s why we play the games. You don’t want to play the games because they’re easy – you want to play in them because they’re tough, so we’re looking forward to it.”