Norwich V Leicester at Carrow Road: Match Preview

02 October 2015 15:31
Norwich V Leicester - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.

No fresh concerns for Norwich ahead of Leicester clash

Norwich report no fresh injury problems ahead of Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash against Leicester at Carrow Road.

On-loan winger Matt Jarvis is available again after being ineligible for last weekend's match at parent club West Ham.

Striker Gary Hooper (ankle) remains sidelined while midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu also continues his recovery from a fractured metatarsal.

Manager Alex Neil is ready to do his own bit of tinkering in search of some different options.

The Canaries hosts Claudio Ranieri's Foxes defending an unbeaten four-match run, which was within moments of including a victory at West Ham before conceding an equaliser deep into stoppage time.

Jarvis could be recalled although Robbie Brady staked his claim for a starting berth with the opening goal in what was an entertaining 2-2 draw at Upton Park.

Congo forward Dieurmerci Mbokani, meanwhile, could be handed the opportunity to lead the attack in the league for the first time since arriving on loan from Dynamo Kiev.

Neil said: "It is a great problem to have. I have three excellent players down that left-hand flank.

"It will be obviously a decision to make and I am pretty clear what I am going to do.

"Then in terms of the top end of the pitch I think Dieumerci is a completely different option to Cameron (Jerome) and once we get him fully up to match speed then I think, depending on who we play, he might be a different option to how we approach things.

"Cameron, so far, has led the line really well for us, but it's good to have that variety."

Nathan Dyer has returned to training for the Foxes after a knee injury but will not be available for the trip to Carrow Road.

He missed Saturday's 5-2 defeat to Arsenal, Leicester's first defeat of the campaign.

Ranieri said: "Now I want to see a reaction against a very good team. It's Norwich's first season (back) in the Premier League again and their spirit will be high."

Jamie Vardy is expected to start in Norfolk following his two goals against Arsenal last weekend before linking up with England.

He has won two caps, starting last month's 6-0 win in San Marino, and Ranieri believes boss Roy Hodgson needs the former Fleetwood forward in his squad as they prepare for Euro 2016.

"I think strikers like him, there isn't too many. Maybe Roy needs one striker like him," he said.

"It is about his character. He wants to arrive at a high level.

"It is amazing. This is a fantastic sport for the other players and he wants to show 'yes, he can too'.

"In the end it is important what you have inside - the strength and the character - because every day is a battle.

"Your opponent wants to 'kill' you and you want to 'kill' your opponent.

"You can play well and sometimes you play badly but your reaction is what is important."

Source: PAR