Little expected to return

Last updated : 23 November 2002 By Tony Scholes

Glen Little - hopefully fit to return
Considering what has gone on before it could be a game that Glen would prefer to miss, he has failed to complete three of the last four games against the Canaries since we were promoted in 2000.

In the home game of 2000/01 season he was on the field for just 23 minutes before suffering a hamstring injury that was to keep him out for a number of games. He suffered another injury to his ‘hammy’ in the away game last season, coming off with just eight minutes left.

Then in the home game he was knocked out with just 17 minutes on the clock leaving the 3-2 win at Carrow Road on Easter Monday 2001 as the only occasion he has completed 90 minutes against them.

Also in the squad will be Tony Grant who returns after a one match suspension, he will be in the squad and is not on his way to Hull City. Out though is Gareth Taylor who in effect will be missing his second game, it is difficult to count six seconds, and it is expected that Ian Moore will start the game up front alongside Robbie Blake.

Stan is hopeful that Ian Cox could be back in contention next week for the trip to Watford and it may well be that skipper Steve Davis will also have to wait for the Vicarage Road game for his return. A decision is being left until the last minute but indications do suggest that he will not be fit enough to return.

With the numbers depleted and the younger players only coming into consideration in an emergency situation the team almost picks itself with probably the biggest questions being asked regarding midfield and whether Tony Grant will return. Given the form of Paul Cook last week at Rotherham it could well be that he starts this one on the bench but much of that will depend on whether Glen is fit enough to play the whole ninety minutes. If not then the starting line up will probably be:

Marlon Beresford, Dean West, Mark McGregor, Arthur Gnohere, Graham Branch, Paul Weller, Tony Grant, Lee Briscoe, Paul Cook, Ian Moore, Robbie Blake. Subs from: Gordon Armstrong, Glen Little, Alan Moore, Brad Maylett, Andy Payton and Dimitri Papadopoulos.

Norwich have no major problems with just two players out of contention although a third, Nicky Southall, has returned to Bolton after a loan spell.

Alex Notman has been out for some weeks having picked up an ankle injury in the away game against Ipswich and he has no chance of a return, he could in fact be facing an operation. Also definitely out is midfielder Paul Mulryne, linked with Burnley during last season, who will be serving a one match suspension after collecting five yellow cards.

Back in the squad is Darel Russell who broke a bone in his foot earlier in the season against Reading. He returned to training only this week but he could well be the player to come in and replace Mulryne. Manager Nigel Worthington has said that he will definitely be in the sixteen on duty.

There will be no place for Paul Crichton in the Norwich line up this season, he played in the corresponding game last season when first choice keeper Robert Green was out.

Norwich’s starting line up is expected to be: Robert Green, Craig Fleming, Darren Kenton, Adam Drury, Steen Nedergaard, Darel Russell, Gary Holt, Mark Rivers, David Nielsen, Paul McVeigh, Iwan Roberts.

Click HERE to read more on Norwich and take a look back at past matches as well as a former player of both clubs.