Match Zone

Norwich Talisman Fit To Face Villa

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The big news coming out of Colney this lunchtime is that Onel Hernandez is fit to face Aston Villa on Tuesday, albeit he was tired after his return at Forest lasted 70 minutes. Speaking to the media at his usual Colney pre-match presser, City Head Coach, Daniel Farke gave a generally upbeat injury update.

There was some concern when he was substituted on Saturday but it seems he just suffered a knock rather than a hernia-related issue.

The flying winger returned to action in Saturday’s 1-2 win at the City Ground and almost scored in the first half when he struck the foot of a post with a fierce first-time shot. The chance was provided courtesy of Todd Cantwell who had probably his best game since breaking into the first team. He was at the heart of virtually all of the Canaries’ good work and it seems that Farke is not too interested in squad rotation at this time.

“I don’t think it is important to rotate too much as we have only had the first game since international break. It is always a bit tricky though as we have quality options on the bench” he told the assembled journos.

“Todd Cantwell was more or less involved with each and every chance we had [against Forest] and played some key chances in the game. He wants to learn and improve each and every day and wants to work hard” he added.

In other injury news, the latest update on Grant Hanley is that he is still around 2-3 weeks away from a return to first team training, meaning that he probably won’t be available this side of the next international break.

Ben Marshall  has been ill (again) and won’t travel with the U23s to Stoke. That goes for Ivo Pinto too, who will also stay in Norfolk, keeping close to the first team squad in case they are needed in the match day squad for Villa.

If I’m honest, the form of both Jamal Lewis and Max Aarons means that it’s highly unlikely that Pinto is going to get back in the team anytime soon. An injury to either of them seems his best chance of game time in the near future and I’m sure that we’re all keeping our fingers crossed that that doesn’t happen. No offence, Ivo.

Other than that, I think the team is effectively picking itself at the moment, with no big changes needed. There will be the usual question around whether or not Alex Tettey can play two games in three days but it seems that the coaching staff have got Alex playing more regularly than at any other time in his City career.

Perhaps he’s doing a Paul McGrath (legendary Man Utd and Villa centre back for you young ‘uns) type of training, where he rests a lot in the week, doesn’t train too much and then plays a blinder on match days. McGrath’s knees were shot but he could manage to play brilliantly when needed.

I imagine that Hernandez will start with Farke looking to get a good 70 odd minutes out of him again before swapping him for the eager Emi Buendia.

Other than that, I’m looking forwards to another great night under the lights at Carrow Road.

See you there.

You can read more from today’s press conference below.

OTBC

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Editor - a forty something Canary, who has been following Norwich for 30 odd years. Family man with wife, kids, dog and a love of sport. Fan of Boxing, Vale 46, F1 and Rock.

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