Norwich could be without as many as 11 first-team stars for Saturday’s visit of Manchester City in the Premier League. Norwich were already facing an uphill task in trying to arrest a three-game losing streak against the reigning champions, but things now appear to have been made even more difficult.
Boss Daniel Farke has got particular concerns in defence as Max Aarons and Ben Godfrey have picked up injuries on international duty, with the former being confirmed as a definite absentee due to an ankle problem, while the latter will have his knock assessed in the build-up to Saturday’s match.
Christoph Zimmerman is also out with the ankle injury he picked up in the 2-0 defeat at West Ham last time out, with the German not expected to return until January, while Timm Klose remains a long-term absentee despite not requiring surgery on his knee ligament problem.
Grant Hanley is set to return from a groin injury but will be only fit enough to take a place on the bench.
Farke also has doubts surrounding the fitness of goalkeeper Tim Krul after he overextended his elbow in training, which means Ralf Fahrmann could be handed a first Premier League start.
Midfield trio Tom Trybull, Mario Vrancic and Moritz Leitner are also unavailable, the former with an ankle problem and the latter pair due to calf complaints.
Onel Hernandez also remains on the sidelines due to a long-term knee injury, while loanee Patrick Roberts completes the list as he is not eligible to face his parent club.
Farke admits he has been left scratching his head at the number of injuries his side have picked up at such an early stage of the season. “Sometimes when you have many muscle injuries, you have to look at doing something different in training,” said Farke. “But these injuries are so unlucky. We cannot complain too much. We won’t cry, it’s tricky, but we will try to search for some solutions.”
City head into the weekend sitting two points behind leaders Liverpool and have their own injury concerns after it was confirmed defender Aymeric Laporte will be sidelined for between five and six months after undergoing knee surgery.
John Stones is a ready-made replacement for Laporte and should return following a thigh problem, with himself and Nicolas Otamendi the only fit senior central defenders available to Pep Guardiola.
Leroy Sane is another long-term absentee due to a knee injury and was initially expected to be out for the season, but Guardiola has now confirmed the Germany international could return by the turn of the year.
“He is coming back before the end of the season. He got the injury in August, so in January or December – maybe February could be perfect.” Guardiola told reporters.
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