WHILE Saints potentially have a few squad concerns of their own, Norwich City are also likely to be without half-a-dozen of their key squad members on Saturday.
The two sides meet at Carrow Road in what will be new head coach Dean Smith’s first game in charge of the Canaries, but his second consecutive clash with Saints.
The former Aston Villa boss was sacked by his club following the 1-0 defeat at St Mary’s last time out in the Premier League.
With his new appointment confirmed during the international break, Smith may have to get creative with the side he first fields on Saturday.
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Norwich won their first game of the season in their last fixture, against fellow promoted side Brentford – but that didn’t stop Daniel Farke getting the chop.
With Smith wanting to get off to a perfect start and exact some revenge on Ralph Hasenhuttl’s charges, here’s a list of the men he could be missing.
Grant Hanley
A groin abductor injury sidelined Grant Hanley for their most recent match, and that continued into the international break.
Farke said before that game: “He will also miss games for Scotland. He is out for two to three weeks.”
He then duly withdraw from the international setup and missed out on his nation securing a World Cup playoff spot.
A such, Norwich will likely be without their experienced centre-back and captain for this clash.
Sam Byram
Sam Bryam has been incredibly unfortunate with injury, after he went down clutching his hamstring during a match against Liverpool in February 2020.
He hasn’t played a minute since then, after surgery was required for a second time on the same injury in August that year, after it had reemerged.
Right-back Byram has been out since, with Farke stressing all the way back in February 2021 that they weren’t putting a timeframe on his comeback.
He is getting there, but his return won’t be yet.
Todd Cantwell
After all the hype that he created, 23-year-old attacking midfielder Todd Cantwell hasn’t played any senior football for Norwich in two months.
He recently featured for 90 minutes in Premier League 2, the division that Saints B compete in, for their under-23 team right before the international break.
Smith may choose to reintroduce him immediately, but that will depend on where he’s at with strength and fitness.
Christoph Zimmermann
Cristoph Zimmerman has undergone ankle surgery which will keep him out of action for another few weeks yet.
The 28-year-old German centre-back hasn’t played a minute in the Premier League so far this season, after making 118 appearances in four seasons for the club.
Andrew Omobamidele
Republic of Ireland international defender Andrew Omobamidele has already made quite the impact, aged just 19.
However, the youngster is currently suffering from an Achilles injury. As a result, he didn’t make the squad for his nation’s 0-0 draw with Portugal.
Omobamidele was then used as a 90th minute substitute during their victory in Luxembourg, so could be fit enough to play a minor role.
He scored his first senior goal with a header during the 2-1 Premier League loss to Leeds United at the end of October.
Ozan Kabak
The Turkish central defender was absent from Norwich’s first league win of the season against Brentford last time out due to glandular fever.
But that was before the international break, which may have afforded him just enough time to make a full recovery.
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