Team News | Sheffield United v Norwich City

Norwich City head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup gave updates to the media about squad availability for this weekend's trip to Bramall Lane, including news on Marcelino Núñez's hamstring injury.

Norwich City head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup gave updates to the media about squad availability for this weekend's trip to Bramall Lane, including news on Marcelino Núñez's hamstring injury.

"It's a hamstring injury; I think we're looking at three weeks, probably a little bit more. The scan was actually okay and it could have been worse.

"We are limited on options in midfield and the line-up will show that tomorrow.

"I don't think it's realistic to bring players in (during the window) as they will be back.

"With Liam Gibbs, we cannot put a date to (his return) as we need to see him back on the grass; whether it's three, four, five weeks, we are a little unsure.

"Amankwah Forson had a contact to his knee and felt it straight away but tried to play on. It was too much just before half-time. He has struggled this week, so he's not available.

"(Callum) Doyle is fine, he is available.

"There will be two or three players that will be on the bench for the first time this season."

Josh Sargent made his return to the side on Saturday in City's FA Cup fixture against Brighton and Hove Albion, playing 11 minutes of the 4-0 defeat.

"He is looking good. It was obvious for everyone when he came on that he was really eager to just play again.

"It's been the same this week, he is in a good mood and full of energy. He is available."

Earlier today, the club announced the departure of club captain Grant Hanley, after more than seven years at Carrow Road.

"He's been a great part of the club, he's been here for so many years, he has everything it takes to be a club captain.

"He's been a good club captain for us in all matters; he's been aware of the younger players, aware of keeping high standards in training, he's been a voice in the dressing room, even though he was not a starter at the end of his career at Norwich. Just a top professional.

"The plan is for Brad Hills to step up now.

"I think the squad will look very different when we start this summer.

"We have to give the young ones a chance and see how they develop and find their role in the team. Now Brad can take that step.

"We need a person to step up (for the captaincy); we will have a club captain and a vice captain.

"We are working on a leadership group involving five to six guys.

"One of them will be a younger one who can learn a little bit from being in that group.

"It will be a group of different characters and personalities and different positions.

"Kenny will be the captain for us, but in this crazy world you never know, there could be an offer, so we will confirm when the window is closed."

When asked about the recent return to Liverpool for loanee Kaide Gordon, Hoff Thorup said: "I rate him as a player with big potential, the situation is you expect loan players to perform more or less from day one.

"If he was a player on a long contract I'd be more than happy to work with him.

"He really loved to be here, he was great to be around the team, he was a good friend to many of the players."

On the topic of other incomings and outgoings, the head coach was asked about new signing Matěj Jurásek.

"His left foot has a good strike, he's a good finisher, he can dribble, he can move, he is technically a great player, so he fits well into our system.

"It was most important for us to sign the deal before any other club could get in there.

"We made a plan with him; he has some physical coaches with him travelling to Prague to stay in good shape and good condition, some of his numbers were really up there, he is in a good place but we have to make sure that he stays like that."

City travel up north this weekend to face third-place Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

"They can change, they can do things a little bit different to the Carrow Road game.

"There were some good moments for us in that game.

"If we get into the right positions we can hurt them; we really have to be aware when we risk the ball because they are a good team on the counter, so we really have to be smart.

"They have some obvious threats, I don't know if Kieffer Moore is playing but he is obvious in terms of his presence in the box.

"It's exciting to play against the best teams in the league, it's fair to say Sheffield United are one of them, so are Leeds."