The latest squad news ahead of Boxing Day

MATT Jarvis is close to a return to first team action for the Canaries, according to his manager Alex Neil.

Jarvis has featured in three Under-23s fixtures in recent weeks, completing 90 minutes for Dmitri Halajko's side in Monday's defeat to Blackburn Rovers at Colney Training Centre.

The winger hasn't made an appearance for the senior side this season after going under the knife in the summer to fix a knee problem.

Neil told Norwich City TV ahead of the Boxing Day clash with Reading: "He's making good progress Matt, so he's one that we can certainly start to consider. We'll see how he goes."

The Canaries' only definite absentee is Louis Thompson, with Neil adding: "He's still not fully recovered. It's difficult to say (when he'll be back), he's got an inflammation of the midriff.

"Sometimes that can settle down really quickly but unfortunately in Louis' case that's not been the case."