The Canaries travel to Elland Road hoping to reach the quarter-final for only the second time since 1992, with their last coming against Manchester United in 2021, played behind closed doors.
Norwich have enjoyed a dramatic improvement since the start of the year, winning five of their last six away matches in the Championship. It is why McLean views Elland Road as the ideal barometer of their resurgence under Clement, but is hopeful City can stand up to the test.
“I think we want to put ourselves against these good teams, and we want to see where we’re at,” McLean said.
“Obviously, we’re in a good place, we’re on a good run, but it’s a different level. I’ve been in the Premier League and I know how unforgiving it can be. One mistake, and you can be behind in a game.
“It’s going to be a difficult game, but it’s one we’re ready for, and it’s an opportunity. Every time we take the pitch, it’s an opportunity, an opportunity to get better, improve as a team, as a squad, as a club.
“We can take the club on a good run with the fans who deserve something this season because it has been difficult at times, so to give them something to look forward to, that’s what we want to do.”
For Norwich, it will be a reunion with former two-time title-winning boss Daniel Farke, who brought McLean to Carrow Road back in January 2018.
“It’s quite nice,” McLean told the Pink Un. “He had a massive influence and impact on my career, gave me an opportunity, helped me grow and develop as a player and as a person.
Kenny McLean is looking forward to a reunion with former City boss Daniel Farke – but wants to get one over on him first. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)
“I’ll always be grateful for what he’s done for me. It’ll be amazing to see him, but hopefully he’s not too happy after the game.
“When you get to that round of the cup, and you start to come up against the big teams, you want to put yourselves there, and we have got a lot of young, hungry, ambitious players who want to be at that level.
“Let’s see how we go on Sunday, we’ll put ourselves against a very good team, but we’ll back ourselves because we’re going well.”