Daniel Farke hopes Ben Godfrey can shake off any injury in time to face Manchester United next week after the centre-back came off at Bournemouth on Saturday.
Godfrey sustained a knock in the first five minutes of the second half of the 0-0 draw at the Vitality Stadium and, without a recognised centre-back replacement on the bench, Farke sent on midfielder Tom Trybull in his place.
Without central defenders Timm Klose, Christoph Zimmermann and Grant Hanley through injury at the moment, Farke has been playing defensive midfielder Ibrahim Amadou alongside Godfrey for the last few matches.
And the prospect of being unable to select Godfrey, who has been mentored by 81-cap England star Rio Ferdinand, for the visit of United to Carrow Road on October 27 does not bear thinking about.
What must be a slight concern is that the ex-York City player underwent aparoscopic hernia repair 11 days ago in a bid to be ready to start against Bournemouth.
However, the Canaries’ German coach was relatively optimistic about Godfrey’s chances of being fit for the forthcoming tussle with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men. “Ben felt some pain but I hope it was just a setback after the injury. I hope to have him back for Man United,” Farke confirmed after the match.
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The final 40 minutes of Saturday’s game on the south coast were the first Norwich City have played in the league in 2019 without Godfrey at the heart of their defence – illustrating his importance to Farke.
The 21-year-old defender – who has worn the captain’s armband in recent weeks – has revealed more about his budding relationship with Ferdinand. “In terms of being a centre-back, there’s not been a better person to speak to for advice in however many years,” said Godfrey of Ferdinand, who won six Premier League titles at United.
“Anything he says goes really. He’s class and he helps me so much. He’s got a lot of time for me. He’s a top guy and it’s good to speak to him.”
