ON-LOAN Arsenal winger Kieran Gibbs could be called upon to fill Jamie Cureton's boots at Ninian Park on Saturday (kick-off 12noon).

With Jamie Cureton out for two weeks after an operation to remove his appendix, City boss Glenn Roeder is short of options in attack.

Ched Evans is once again expected to partner Dion Dublin in attack when the Canaries travel to in-form Cardiff at the weekend.

But Roeder hinted that Gibbs could yet be asked to do a job through the middle if either of his two first choice strikers run out of steam.

Fellow teenager Chris Martin is also hoping for another first team chance following his hat-trick for the reserves in midweek, and with that in mind, Roeder re-iterated his reluctance to sign another striker on loan.

"With the couple of strikers we tried to buy we couldn't anyway because the offers were turned down, which were good offers," he said, speaking at Friday morning's Colney press conference.

"We have seven loans here already, so we have two of the seven sitting in the stands which isn't ideal. So if I have to take an eighth loan I will do, but I don't especially want to.

"We just have to get through these next few games with Dion and Ched. It gives Chris Martin, maybe, an opportunity. I'm also told that young Kieran can pull a shift as a central striker. So we're ok. We're fine.

Cureton's unfortunate absence places considerable pressure on Roeder's attacking resources, with the City boss admitting last week he felt the team was over reliant on the services of veteran Dublin.

Norwich are entering a busy time fixture-wise, but Roeder believed the 38-year-old would stand up to the physical challenge.

"He's played three games in a season this season and done more than well," he said. "He's at the top of his form at the moment and we need him. We would need him whether Cureton was fit or not."

Fortunately Roeder has no other injury worries ahead of the trip to the south of Wales, with his only selection dilemma being who to leave out.

League rules stipulate only five loan players can be named in a squad of 16 on matchdays, which means two or Roeder's seven temporary signings will be left on the sidelines.

It's a tough choice for Roeder, with the likes of Evans, Mo Camara and Ryan Bertrand almost certain to start. That leaves two remaining spots for Gibbs, Reading pair James Henry (pictured) and Alex Pearce and Middlesbrough's Matthew Bates.

Of that group, the latter looks certain to be named in the squad after putting in an eye-catching display as a substitute against Preston last weekend. Which leaves one vacant spot for the remaining trio to fight over.

If Roeder opts to use Martin as his third striker, Gibbs may again have to sit things out, with Pearce also unlikely to prise either Gary Doherty or Jason Shackell out of the side as things stand.

Which suggests winger Henry could again be named on the bench, particularly after his impressive display in England Under 19s 2-0 win over Croatia.

"Paul Stephenson went to the game and watched him play and said him and (Scott) Sinclair were perhaps England's best two players," added Roeder. "He said Ryan played well and so did Kieran. But he said James Henry and Sinclair from Chelsea particularly caught the eye.

"I suggested it was because he was a right winger that he likes all right wingers, and I've not seen the DVD.

"But last Friday when they came in to train I could see the standard and quality had been lifted by the four boys. And it made everyone else find a notch or two more. Which you always do when you bring in new players. Because the ones who are here want to show the new ones that they're good players themselves."

For the home side, former England international Trevor Sinclair is hoping for a recall after featuring for the reserves in midweek. Riccardo Scimeca is set to be out for another week with a groin injury, while Robbie Fowler is still struggling with a hip injury.