Town finally clawed back local bragging rights at Portman Road in October, beating the Canaries 3-1 to end 16 years of domination from the Norfolk side of the divide.
But the reverse fixture at Carrow Road promises to be more of a battle, given Norwich have been resurgent under new boss Philippe Clement.
They sit ninth in the Championship table, while Town are second and chasing automatic promotion right back to the Premier League.
Town ended 16 years of derby day dominance by the Canaries with a win in Suffolk last October (Image: Steve Waller)
“It’s brilliant,” McAteer enthused of Town’s league position, after scoring the winner against Birmingham City on Easter Monday.
“We’re not really thinking too much about it. It’s just about us. We know it’s in our hands.
“We just need to take game by game. Every game now is a cup final. Not thinking that we’ve got seven games left. It’s one game now.
“We’ve got Norwich on Saturday and that’s the game that we’re going to put everything into.
“And hopefully if we go into it with that mentality we can get the result that we deserve on the day.
“Get the three points and we move on to the next. And that’s what it’s about being a footballer and pushing to be at the top of the league.”
Kasey McAteer says he knows what derby day means to the fans (Image: Steve Waller)
McAteer was an unused sub in Town’s win at Portman Road, so he’s fully aware what to expect in Norfolk this Saturday lunchtime (12.30pm).
“Yeah, of course!” he enthused, asked if he understood what the game means to fans.
“When I came in before, I’m seeing fans with the flares and stuff and the passion they show. It’s down to us to reflect that onto the pitch. Obviously, we’ll have a good travelling support there.
“And it’s about us applying ourselves and our game. We know it’s not going to be easy, they’re going to want to spoil the party for us.
“But it’s about us showing some grit and determination and going there with a good belief and trying to get the three points.”