Norwich City academy coach Ricky Martin says he used a host of first-teamers in Tuesday's Norfolk Senior Cup win to try to improve boss Paul Lambert's options.City had nine players with senior experience in the starting line-up for the 3-0 defeat of Fakenham Town.
"It was a fantastic exercise," Martin told BBC Radio Norfolk. "The game gave them an opportunity to play competitive football.
"The manager, when he calls upon them, wants them all fit and ready."
Centre-half Michael Nelson played an hour, while fellow defender Jens Berthel Askou lasted the whole 90 minutes.
Lambert is likely to turn to one of the pair to cover for the suspended Leon Barnett against Coventry on Saturday.
Other starters included second-choice goalkeeper Declan Rudd, midfielders Owain Tudor-Jones, Anthony McNamee and Korey Smith and frontman Oli Johnson.
"We all know it's a very busy Christmas period coming up and you don't know when they're going to be required," added Martin.
It's one of the hardest games I've had for many a year and all the lads should be proud of themselves
Fakenham captain Stephen Harvey
"It was a strong side that maybe caught a few people on the back foot. And it was nice that we came out with a victory, a clean-sheet and three goals."
A brace from Johnson, plus a late strike from Luke Daley was enough to see City through to face Norwich United in the quarter-finals.
And Fakenham captain Stephen Harvey admitted that playing a Championship side took its toll on his Ridgeons Division One outfit.
"Truthfully, it was very, very difficult," said the midfielder.
"They train every day and the ball didn't go two foot from their feet.
"It's one of the hardest games I've had for many a year and all the lads should be proud of themselves. They kept their shape and kept their discipline.
"It's a credit to us we came off only conceding three. They could have took us to pieces."
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport