CITY boss Paul Lambert this morning confirmed that striker Cody McDonald and defender Zak Whitbread will miss tomorrow's Coca-Cola League One match away to Brighton & Hove Albion (3pm) due to injury.
Lambert told the media at this morning's press conference that Whitbread was receiving treatment for a calf injury and McDonald a thigh problem.
McDonald and Whitbread join longer term absentees Adam Drury and Luke Daley on the treatment table, with all four out of contention for the weekend.
Better news surrounded captain and leading goalscorer Grant Holt who has now completed his three-match suspension and returns to the travelling squad for the trip to the Withdean Stadium.
After going 16 matches without defeat in League One, City suffered their first reverse since October 19 when they lost 2-1 away to Millwall last weekend. Following such a long unbeaten run Lambert said there was no need make any drastic changes to the City side as the Canaries attempt to start another successful run of results at Brighton on Saturday.
"After one defeat I can't think about major, major changes," confirmed the City boss.
"The sprit has been as it always has been. Just one defeat in four months that's incredible, every team gets beat, it's an impossibility to keep going and what the lads have done has been brilliant."
City playmaker Wes Hoolahan has found himself a marked man in recent games and the City boss said the attention that Hoolahan was attracting from opposing sides really is a complement to the 27-year-old Irishman's undoubted talents.
"Wes has created that environment for himself with the way he has been playing - he's been nothing short of brilliant. People are worrying about him because of the way he plays the game and rightly so. He got to be prepared to deal with that, if you allow people like that too much space you can end up in trouble and Wes has certainly done that to a few teams this year."
With injury ruling out McDonald, who has netted twice in his last three games, Holt's return to the side is certainly a timely boost, which Lambert was swift to acknowledge.
"Having Grant back is a major thing for us considering what we've done with out him.
"I think a lot of people thought we would have dropped more points than we have done without him being there but him coming back is a major plus.
"With no disrespect to Cody (McDonald) or Oli (Johnson), Grant is the captain of the Football Club and has been a major player for us. Taking 23 goals out the team is a big chunk but we've handled it really well."
With City out to maintain their lead at the summit of League One, Lambert will be keen for his troops to return to winning ways on Saturday but is expecting a tough game in the unique surroundings of the Withdean Stadium.
"Any game would have been good for us but you've just got to try and bounce back as quickly as you can.
"The atmosphere will be different to normal with no roof on the ground and the crowd a good bit away from the pitch. I was there last year with Colchester and know what to expect.
"Gus (Poyet) has got a good team down there who are fighting for their lives - so we know it will be tough."
With fellow promotion contenders Leeds United bowing out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy earlier this week, it leaves City and all of their rivals free to focus on winning promotion from League One. With that fact in mind, Lambert said City's defeat at the Den last weekend could have been worse and confirmed it was now about City remembering where they have come from and what has served them so well.
"If you were going to lose a game, last Saturday was probably the one to lose as not many people won behind us. There was a lot of draws, even though you are disappointed to lose that softens the blow.
"We've come a long way in the time we've been here - from second bottom to top. There has been so many good things going on. We've tried to give people the winning mentality. You've got to be mentality strong to win any league. You've got to be mentally strong to keep going and to get over disappointments."
With the emergency loan market now open for business, Lambert was asked if he was still looking to add to his squad ahead of the final third of the season: "I'm happy with what I've got," replied the Scot. "The lads here have put themselves in a great position and we will try and do all we can to get out of the league."
City's limited allocation of 894 tickets went through a priority ticket procedure, therefore there will be no tickets available to purchase on the day.
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