Norwich City are preparing to take on Leeds United this Sunday and the manager has provided some positive and negative injury news ahead of the clash at Carrow Road.
Having been down near the relegation zone in November, it looked as though the board were set to pull the plug on David Wagner’s time in charge. However, following a meeting with owners and the rest of the board, it was decided that the German coach would be granted a little more time in charge.
This decision, which was questionable at the time, turned out to be a masterstroke by the hierarchy. Since the start of 2024, only Leeds and Leicester City picked up more points in the Championship than the Canaries.
An anthem for Norwich, by Sons of Mark.
This is ๐๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ pic.twitter.com/PTX4eajq1b
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) May 9, 2024
Norwich City rocketed up the league table as high as fifth place but a 1-0 defeat to Birmingham City at St. Andrew’s on the final day of the season meant that the team finished in sixth, with a two-legged semi-final tie against Leeds being set up.
The two clubs go to war at Carrow Road on Sunday afternoon and Wagner will be hoping to win the game to take a positive result to Elland Road next week.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of this weekend’s clash, the head coach provided an injury update on his squad, admitting that Christian Fassnacht and Jonathan Rowe were back in training. However, Wagner has confirmed that Ashley Barnes is ruled out [quotes via Leeds Live]:
“Like expected, Fasi [Fassnacht] and Rowe are back in training. Barnes will miss the first leg. No further doubts. [Liam] Gibbs and Onel (Hernandez) ruled out.”
Wagner also confirmed that Shane Duffy trained as normal despite being charged with drunk driving earlier this week.
“He trained as normal for the full week,” the manager continued.
“The club made a statement and I donโt like to speak about it too much. Itโs a legal process thatโs ongoing. We will see how the week continues. Everybody is super focused.โ
Writer’s View
Having Fassnacht and Rowe back are huge, particularly the latter. Rowe has been influential for Norwich City over the course of the season, bagging 16 goal contributions in all competitions for the club in 36 appearances and will be vital once more for Wagner if his side are to topple Leeds.
The Canaries are certainly the underdogs heading into this weekend’s semi-final first leg at home but the visitors are fragile, having missed out on automatic promotion despite leading the table merely a few weeks ago so Daniel Farke’s men are potentially there for the taking.
