Team News | Wagner provides squad update for Preston

David Wagner has provided some positive news on his squad ahead of Preston North End's visit to Carrow Road on Saturday (KO 3pm).

David Wagner has provided some positive news on his squad ahead of Preston North End's visit to Carrow Road on Saturday (KO 3pm).

Dimitris Giannoulis, who was replaced with an injury against Bristol City, is fit for Saturday while the returning Angus Gunn and Jonathan Rowe came through the game with no issues.

"Dimi's ok, it seems to be that everyone involved last weekend will be available for Saturday. No problems for Jonny and Angus," Wagner said.

"Grant (Hanley) is back in training next week as expected - we'll see if it's the beginning or middle of next week. The week after, (Ben) Gibbo and maybe Lungi (Sørensen) and Josh (Sargent). They are all back around Christmas time."

He also provided an update on Hwang Ui-Jo - the striker picked up an injury during the 3-2 defeat at Vicarage Road.

Wagner maintains he will still be out until the new year but his early progress has been positive.

"At the minute, the first days and weeks after his injury, he looks quite well. We'll see more over the next couple of weeks."

The Canaries have won three of their last four and after a run of four straight defeats, Wagner now says that he is pleased to see the effort of the players being rewarded.

"I said even when we had the bad spell, this group is tight together. They are good characters. Ok, we didn't collect the points or perform on the level we expect. Now, we're making good steps and we want to stay focused and create some momentum," he explained.

"Cardiff was a decent performance, QPR was ok. Defensively good but offensively we can do better. Bristol City was a very even game, both teams wanted to win and we had a bit of luck but I think the players deserve that luck.

"We have to, and we need and we want to, improve performance-wise. Defensively we have been much better and we want to continue that, be harder to break down but also create our opportunities and be clinical."

In two of those recent victories, Republic of Ireland striker Adam Idah scored the decisive goal.

His 83rd-minute winner at the Cardiff City Stadium was followed by a last-gasp clincher at Ashton Gate on Sunday afternoon.

Wagner held special praise for Idah, as well as Marcelino Núñez and Liam Gibbs.

"I don't know the exact stats of starts or games off the bench. He is an unbelievable impact player when he comes from the bench, you can see that from the goals, and how many problems he causes opponents. He does that from the start too but you don't see that as much in the goals and assists," he explained.

"Nacho made a big improvement in the last few months in terms of how he takes care of the ball. There are a lot less turnovers, in terms of his passing and decision-making. He's a good player on the ball, Bristol City was a massive step in that he ran 13km.

"I love Gibbsy. He can play anywhere in the midfield, it's the same for him as it is for Nacho in terms of taking care of the ball. The end of last season he played a lot of minutes when we had injuries. He's had less starts this season but he is very reliable and he will get the chance to start games in the busy period coming up."

On Saturday's opponents, Wagner says it will be a different challenge to those they have faced recently with Preston opting for a direct approach.

"In general, we'll face a different style to the last three or four games. They are a direct team, there'll be aerial duels and we'll have to be ready for second balls. If we are better in ball possession, we can get them on the back foot.

"Our support will create an atmosphere that will provide us with the energy to pick up a result and build that momentum. From the first second, we'll go for it and invest everything, show how hungry we are for another home win."