Daniel Farke provided bad news in what is now fast becoming the norm, when he discussed his squad’s injury problems ahead of a visit from Aston Villa on Saturday.
🎙 Daniel Farke has arrived at Lotus Training Centre to address the media in his pre-Aston Villa press conference… ⬇ #ncfc https://t.co/aA7wl0lwId
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) October 4, 2019
Talking at his usual Friday press conference, the headlines are that both Tim Krul and Ralf Fahrmann are unavailable so Michael McGovern will make his first Premier League start at the age of 35.
Jamal Lewis, as mentioned yesterday, has nothing broken but has suffered ligament damage to his elbow although Farke says he will be available. Sam Byram didn’t start against Palace because of an ankle problem but he will be in the squad.
Todd Cantwell has had a hamstring issue that it is hoped will calm down enough for him to play tomorrow, oh and Grant Hanley has a groin issue and needs to see a specialist – other than that, we’re fine!
💬 DF: Grant Hanley is unavailable for tomorrow. He will need to see a specialist next week for his groin. #ncfc pic.twitter.com/v9P9e4Th2O
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) October 4, 2019
None of the other injured players will be available.
“We have to accept what we can’t change. Each club goes through difficult spells. In my 11 years as a manager I’ve never experienced a crisis like this.”
There is another issue though, surrounding Ben Godfrey who will, the boss announced, need surgery during the international break.
“Ben Godfrey will need surgery during the international break. He’s been struggling since the last break, but we didn’t speak about it because we had so many injured players.
“We have no other centre-backs at the moment so I’m thankful he’s been willing to play. He’s a tough guy and is available for tomorrow, then he’ll have surgery on Monday or Tuesday.”
The surgery is minor and should be all done in the break, hopefully seeing him available two weeks later to face Bournemouth. That’s why he wasn’t announced in the England U21 squad, which incidentally includes Todd Cantwell and Max Aarons.
There is some good news though, with Onel Hernandez hopefully returning to training in the next week or so.
“Onel Hernandez isn’t too far away from returning to training, hopefully before the Bournemouth game. That would be a big boost for us so we have to see how that develops.”
Hernandez’s Injury absence has been a big blow for City with his direct running and sheer pace being a useful weapon in the Canaries’ armoury. It will be good to have him back.
OTBC