Team News: Sargent available to face Rotherham

Dean Smith has provided some updates on the Norwich City squad ahead of the trip to face Rotherham United in the Sky Bet Championship.

Dean Smith has provided some updates on the Norwich City squad ahead of the trip to face Rotherham United in the Sky Bet Championship.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the head coach said he expects both Josh Sargent and Dimi Giannoulis will be available with the latter requiring some additional management following his long-term injury earlier in the season.

He was also pleased to see Jon Rowe return to on-field training and expects him to rejoin squad sessions over the coming weeks.

"They're both training with us today so it should be the case that they are available," Smith said.

"Sarge is a definite yes. Dimi is one we have to look at, he is just back from a long-term injury."

"It's a positive. He (Jon Rowe) hasn't trained with us yet, he'll train with us in the World Cup break. The same for Adam Idah, Andrew Omobamidele and Lungi Sørensen. After that, we should have a full squad.

"The only concerns are the ones who have been playing of late with a lack of preparation - Sam McCallum, Isaac Hayden and Sam Byram."

After the draw with QPR on Wednesday, Smith says he feels that it should have been another three points for City.

However, he was pleased with the overall performance and chances created, while also reserving praise for the form of Angus Gunn.

"Their opportunities were few. They've hit the post from long range, Angus has made a good save but they're saves you would expect him to make. His distribution was good as well," he explains.

"He's been a little unfortunate that results haven't gone our way. I've said from the start, we've got two more than capable goalkeepers.

"The positive is that we opened up a very defensive team, a well-organised team.

"I think that's games in general, certainly in the Championship, like Burnley, like ourselves, who will be in control of games but the opposition will get bursts themselves.

"We've picked up four points from the last two home games, we feel it should have been six."

It's Rotherham up next for Smith and Co with the Millers aiming to bounce back from the disappointment of conceding two leads to Burnley on Wednesday night.

"It's a difficult place to go to," Smith added. "Whenever I've taken a team there, it's been a challenge. They were very close to a great result against the form team in Burnley who scored in the 91st and 100th minute.

"They'll want a reaction. Every club will want a reaction, if you've won, you want to win another, if you've drawn like we have, you want to win the next one. They've conceded two late goals and they'll want to see a reaction.

"Emotional control will be big. They're not a bad footballing team at all. They've some momentum after being promoted into the league but we have to go there and show our qualities."