Norwich City

Liam Manning's Norwich City will go after their first home win of the season as they take on Middlesbrough on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Rob Edwards' side sit second in the Championship table after victories over Swansea City and Millwall as they look to extend their winning run.

• Norwich City are winless across their last seven league games against Middlesbrough (D3 L4), conceding 15 goals in total across that time.

• Middlesbrough are unbeaten across their last four away league games against Norwich City (W2 D2). They will be looking to remain unbeaten in five successive games for the first time in the EFL.

• After beating Portsmouth 2-1 last time out, Norwich City will be looking to win consecutive Championship matches for the first time since February.

• Middlesbrough will be looking to win their opening three games of a league season for the first time since 1994-95.

• Middlesbrough and Charlton Athletic are the only two sides in the Championship to have kept a clean sheet in both of their first two league games.

Image source, Rex Features

Norwich City defender Harry Darling hopes to make a big contribution at both ends of the pitch this season after being reunited with boss Liam Manning.

Darling scored 10 goals for MK Dons during the 2021-22 season, when Manning was in charge there, and opened his account for the Canaries in Tuesday's 2-1 victory at Portsmouth.

"That was a really good year and I'd like to add goals into my game (this season). I got one early doors, so hopefully I can add a few more," he told BBC Radio Norfolk.

Darling could also be an effective weapon with his long throw, which was flicked on for Josh Sargent's second against Pompey.

"I was messing about at training one day and realised I could throw it quite far. Nick, the set-piece guy, identified that there was a bit of a weakness in Portsmouth's side with a long throw-in - it probably surprised them and we scored off it," he said.

Norwich are at home to Middlesbrough on Saturday, a match which ended in a 3-3 draw last season.

"Rob Edwards has gone in (at Boro) and they've had a really good start under him. It's going to be a tough game, like every game is in the Champ. We're expecting a tough test."

Listen to the full Radio Norfolk interview with Harry by clicking here.

Marcelino Nunez is set to miss several weeks with an ankle injury sustained in the win at Portsmouth, according to Norwich City boss Liam Manning.

Speaking ahead of the Canaries' home game with Middlesbrough on Saturday (15:00 BST), Manning told BBC Radio Norfolk: "We're probably fortunate it wasn't more serious.

"It was a bit of a nasty one, but fortunately we are talking a few weeks rather than months.

"It's disappointing because he did extremely well in the Watford game, and I thought he was excellent in the first half against Portsmouth.

"We're disappointed to lose him, but with the games coming up and then the international break, hopefully we'll see him not long after that."

Other topics covered by Manning in his press conference included:

• "Kenny McLean is back in training. Lucien Mahovo and Gabriel Forsyth are progressing – we're moving in the right direction in terms of getting bodies back."

• "Josh Sargent has been excellent. He leads, he's stepped up in the changing room. He's in a really good spot."

• "It's difficult for players with the noise [around transfers] and the pressure, but I can't speak highly enough of Sargent. He's played every pre-season game - not missed a session."

• "We've got loads to work on. We're trying to pick up results while evolving. It was a strong learning week for us."

• "We want to turn Carrow Road into a really tough place to come."

• "Middlesbrough have started well. They didn't have a huge overhaul in the summer. They have some talented players."

• "There's a lot to be excited about here. It's important to enjoy the journey."

• "We've got good physicality now. We have to make sure we maximise it."

Click here to listen to Liam Manning's full pre-match interview via BBC Sounds.

Nottingham Forest have joined Everton in the hunt for Norwich right-back Kellen Fisher, 21. (Pete O'Rourke, external)

Sheffield Wednesday are close to signing former Canaries winger Onel Hernandez, with Birmingham and Wrexham having also shown interest in the 32-year-old Cuba international. (SportsBoom, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday's gossip column here.

Image source, Rex Features

Norwich City goalkeeper Vladan Kovacevic admits he has been surprised by the physical aspect of Championship football in his first two games for the club.

The 27-year-old came to Carrow Road from Portuguese club Sporting, having also played in Poland and his native Bosnia-Herzegovina.

"I didn't expect it. I can show you my arms and my back, scars and everything," he told BBC Radio Norfolk.

"Now I know (what it's like), I will be more aggressive. In Poland, it's a similar league, but not like this. In Portugal, they play football or you have the coach screaming."

The Canaries bounced back from an opening-day defeat by Millwall with a 2-1 win at Portsmouth, a game in which Kovacevic saved Colby Bishop's penalty.

"I will remember this game all my life, this is one of the hardest games I've played in - so welcome to the Championship!" he said.

"When a team has a penalty against me, I love it. With my coach Tony (Roberts), we analyse before the game every time so that penalty (save) is because of him."

Norwich are next in action at home to Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Listen to the full interview with Kovacevic on BBC Sounds by clicking here.

Image source, Getty Images

Norwich City boss Liam Manning said that his side "stood up to a tough test" on Saturday when they beat Portsmouth away at Fratton Park.

Goals in the first half from Harry Darling and Josh Sargent were enough for the Canaries to come away with the three points.

Portsmouth threatened late on as they had a penalty saved by Vladan Kovačević and Adrian Segecic scored to give the home side some hope, but Manning's side ended up holding on for the win.

"I'm exhausted to be totally honest, I feel the same emotion as everyone else watching it," he told BBC Radio Norfolk.

"Coming to Fratton Park is so difficult, you only have to look at their form here last season and also the fact that they're such a consistent side.

"I think we really stood up to a tough test today and showed a real resilience and fighting spirit that will allow us to be in games this season, there's some real positives to take from today.

"We know how important our set pieces are so credit to the lads for taking it on board, we started the game really well and made it difficult for them."

Norwich City visit Portsmouth on Saturday (12:30 BST) hunting for their first win of the season.

The Canaries lost to Millwall on the opening weekend of their Championship campaign as they began life under new boss Liam Manning.

Portsmouth, however, beat Oxford United for an opening away win - something that proved a rarity last season - and will be hoping to rebuild the Fratton Park fortress that served them so well last season after a midweek home cup loss to Reading.

• Portsmouth beat Norwich City 5-3 in their last league meeting and will be looking to win successive games against the Canaries for the first time since April 1969 (run of four).

• Norwich City are unbeaten across their last three away league games against Portsmouth (W1 D2) and could remain four unbeaten for the first time in the Football League.

• Portsmouth haven't lost their opening home game in any of the last 11 league campaigns (W6 D5) since a 1-4 loss to Oxford in League Two in 2013-14, although they have kicked off each of the last three league seasons on home soil with a draw.

• Norwich have won their opening away game in just one of the last eight league campaigns (D3 L4), failing to do so in any of the last four seasons since a 1-0 win at Huddersfield in the Championship in 2020-21.

• Across their Championship away games last season, Norwich netted just 19 goals in total – their fewest at this level since 2007-08 (also 19).

English defender Brad Hills, 21, is set to depart Norwich City for Stockport County on a deal potentially worth £2m. (Pinkun), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Thursday's gossip column here.

Norwich City goalkeeper Dan Grimshaw said that the Canaries' new goalkeeping unit will look "to get the best out of each other" this season.

The 27-year-old is one of three new keepers, along with Louie Moulden and new number one Vladan Kovacevic, with the latter making his debut in the Championship defeat by Millwall at the weekend.

However, Grimshaw made a winning debut for the Canaries in their 2-1 victory over Watford in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, and he sees the competition between all three as a positive.

"We are all new here and we are all just going to work together and get the best out of each other," he told BBC Radio Norfolk.

"All three of us are getting on well and it's good to push each other."

Listen to the full post-match interview with Grimshaw and more on BBC Sounds.

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Jack Wilshere has decided to focus on taking his first steps into senior management rather than return to Arsenal.

BBC Sport revealed earlier this month that the former Gunners midfielder was a contender for the vacant under-21s head coach job following the departure of Mehmet Ali, who left to join Brentford.

It is understood Arsenal initially approached Wilshere to discover whether he would be willing to return in a job that would both give him charge of the Under-21s and offer a wider remit within the club's player development strategy.

After considering the role, it is understood Wilshere has informed the club of his decision to exit the process and therefore he is no longer a candidate for the position .

Wilshere is keen to move towards senior management and has informed Arsenal that his current focus is on trying to land a first-team coaching position.

All parties are said to be understanding of the situation with the decision reached entirely amicably.

The former Gunners midfielder left Emirates Stadium last season, where he had been under-18s manager, to work as first-team coach under then-Norwich manager Johannes Thorup.

Wilshere was later promoted to interim head coach after Thorup left the club in April, but departed Carrow Road earlier this summer after Norwich appointed Liam Manning as their new manager.

Wilshere remains a fans' favourite at Arsenal, having come through the ranks to make more than 150 starts for the club.

Wrexham have registered interest in Manchester City defender Callum Doyle but face competition from Coventry City, Leicester City and Norwich City for the 21-year-old Englishman. (Football League World), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday's gossip column here.

"Anyone who was optimistic before the game on Saturday... if you start writing things off after one game, it's a bad job."

BBC Radio Norfolk's Rob Butler and Chris Goreham reflect on Norwich City's opening day defeat by Millwall and take a look ahead to Tuesday night's cup tie against Watford (19:45 BST).

Listen to the full episode of The Scrimmage and more on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Rex Features

England star Lauren Hemp has thanked Norwich City for the honour of carrying out the match ball before kick-off against Millwall on Saturday.

Hemp, who comes from nearby North Walsham, became a double European champion last month when the Lionesses beat Spain on penalties to retain the trophy they first won at Wembley three years ago.

"It was nice to be back there [at Carrow Road]. I try and get back as much as I can to watch Norwich games. They're my team at heart and always keep an eye on their scores and watch as many game as I can when they're on TV," she told BBC Radio Norfolk.

"It's good to be able to come back and support them. I was treated so well and obviously it's nice walking out and applauding me, and the team as well.

"It was a very special moment and nice that my family got to see that as well."

Asked about the possibility of one day returning home to play for fourth-tier Norwich City Women, where her friend Flo Allen is general manager, the Manchester City forward said: "We'll have to wait and see for that one.

"Hopefully they'll climb up the pyramid and once they're in the WSL, we'll have to see where we're at."

Rob Butler
BBC Radio Norfolk, Canary Call presenter

Image source, BBC/Rob Butler

Norwich City face Watford in the first round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday at Vicarage Road (19:45 BST).

The Canaries were beaten 2-1 by Millwall in their Championship opener on Saturday.

Looking ahead to the cup tie, City head coach Liam Manning spoke to the media at the Colney training centre.

Here are some of the key points:

• Midfielder Amankwah Forson has a hamstring injury and will miss the game at Watford

• Manning said he and the players had an "open, honest and frank meeting" following the defeat by Millwall

• Denmark international Mathias Kvistgaarden made his debut as a substitute against Millwall, Manning said he was "really pleased" with his eye-catching cameo appearance

• Manning said Kvistgaarden is pushing for a start against Watford

• On the EFL Cup, Manning said he likes to rotate his squad for knockout competitions. He added that it will be a blend of first-team and fringe players

• "I'll do everything I can to pick a team that can win," said Manning, who added that he will not belittle the tournament by selecting an under-strength side

You can listen to full live coverage of Watford v Norwich City with BBC Radio Norfolk on FM and DAB from 19:00 BST on Tuesday.

Norwich right-back Kellen Fisher, 21, is attracting the interest of Everton. (Pete O'Rourke, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's gossip column here.