Norwich City fans will get a glimpse of new boy Julien Brellier at tonight’s final preseason friendly against Vitesse Arnhem.
Brellier, who signed as a free agent after leaving SPL side Hearts last season, has so far only played 45 minutes of the Canaries’ friendly at King’s Lynn earlier this month, but is expected to feature at some point during tonight’s game at Carrow Road (7.45pm).
City boss Peter Grant told the official site today: ‘Julien has trained with us Thursday morning and he looked nice and bright, so he will play a part in the game.
‘How long, I will decide during the game. But he will definitely play part of it.
Darel Russell will play as he catches up on his match fitness following his move from Stoke, with Grant also aiming to give those players on the periphery of the first 11 some time on the pitch.
On-loan star Jimmy Smith is the only long-term casualty, with his ankle injury being treated back at Chelsea. Dion Dublin may also miss out as he struggles with a back niggle.
One player definitely missing will be Darren Huckerby. The City legend has yet to recover from his groin strain and remains a serious doubt for Norwich’s opening Championship fixture at Preston a week on Saturday.
Tonight’s friendly is the final chance for Grant to prepare for the season’s curtain-raiser at Deepdale, and is also a reunion of some sorts.
The game reacquaints Arnhem and Norwich for the first time since they met in the Uefa Cup in 1993, Norwich knocking out their Dutch opponents and triumphing over Bayern Munich, before gallantly losing to Inter Milan – as well all know, of course.
Still, it’s good to be reminded…
Share this article
