Neil hands Capital One Cup chance to fringe Norwich players
Norwich manager Alex Neil has challenged his fringe players to stake a claim for regular Barclays Premier League football by beating West Brom in the Capital One Cup.
The Canaries boss is expected to fully utilise his squad for the visit of the Baggies on Wednesday night.
Other than having midfielder Alex Tettey ruled out through suspension after collecting a fifth yellow card in the 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Sunday, Neil reports no fresh injury concerns.
The Scot, though, indicated he will give some of those who have seen their Premier League chances limited a chance to impress, with left-back Martin Olsson now fit again following summer shoulder surgery and Congo forward Dieumerci Mbokani, signed on from Dynamo Kiev, in line for a first start.
"It is a case of getting some players game time, but also making sure the squad and team are going to be strong, certainly strong enough to win the game," Neil said at a press conference.
"It is always a balancing act over the course of the season because it is not just about 11 players, it is about making sure you try and utilise your squad the best you can, but try and not weaken the team."
Neil added: "The team will be motivated because those who have been playing will want to continue our momentum and those who come in will be wanting to stake their claim.
"We have got a good squad with competition for places all over the pitch, all the lads are desperate to play. Some will get their opportunity.
"It is a one-off game, so we will go all out to win it."
Neil knows full well where Norwich's focus is this season.
"Any cup that we play in is important, so we are not going to be dismissive of this competition, we want to do well and we want to win this game, but at the stage we are at at the moment (as a club) our Premier League hopes and aspirations are our biggest priority," said Neil, who took the club up through the play-offs last season."
West Brom captain Darren Fletcher has described Jonny Evans as one of the best defenders he has ever played with ahead of the trip to Carrow Road.
Evans followed Fletcher to the Hawthorns in August after the pair spent more than a decade together at Manchester United, where the 27-year-old centre-back won three Premier League titles.
Evans' two appearances for Albion since his B#6million arrival have brought successive clean sheets and Fletcher believes that is no fluke.
"Jonny is a fantastic signing. I spoke about it when he came and I was so excited when he signed," said the Scotland midfielder.
"He's a top player. A great leader and a good talker and I think it's a fantastic signing for the Albion and he's going to be a mainstay in that defence for a number of years and it's no coincidence that (clean sheets) and there's more to come as well.
"He's a great lad and I can't speak highly enough of him.
"I knew we were getting a top, top player. One of the best defenders I've ever played with at Manchester United and now here."
It remains to be seen whether both will play on in the third round tie on Wednesday night.
Several unnamed players are nursing knocks following the Premier League win at Aston Villa and Albion head coach Tony Pulis has said he will be making changes for the third round tie.
One of the changes could be a debut for Anders Lindegaard, who would replace Boaz Myhill in goal. The likes of Jonas Olsson, James Chester, Craig Gardner, Rickie Lambert and Callum McManaman all began on the bench at Villa Park and come into contention for starting places.
Source: PAR
