Norwich City

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As Norwich City put the finishing touches to preparations for Tuesday's Championship fixture at home to Preston, the big question for head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup is whether to hand an instant recall to forward, and top scorer, Borja Sainz.

No-one has scored more goals in the Championship than the Spaniard's 15 and the urge to bring him straight back into the side after the completion of his six-week ban for spitting must be irresistible.

Thorup described Sainz as "fit and energised" after his enforced break and will surely want to get him back in the thick of the action as the Canaries try to maintain their improving push for the play-offs.

Whether Sainz plays and who might make way for him is just one of the topics up for debate on the latest edition of The Scrimmage podcast on BBC Radio Norfolk.

Chris Reeve and Rob Butler discuss all the latest Canaries news and, along with talking to Thorup, the show also features a chat with the man who's been shouldering the burden up front in the absence of Sainz - Josh Sargent.

The USA striker, who has scored four goals in his past three games and 23 in partnership with 15-goal Sainz so far, says it will be "really good" to see Sainz back in the fold.

Former City midfielder Gabriel Sara, now at Galatasaray in Turkey, also drops in for a word.

You can listen to the latest episode of The Scrimmage here.

Rob Butler
BBC Radio Norfolk Canary Call presenter

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Norwich City head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup said he was disappointed with Saturday's 1-1 draw against Derby County at Carrow Road.

On Tuesday, the Canaries host Preston North End in The Championship (20:00 GMT).

Thorup has been speaking to the media ahead of that game, here are some of the key points:

• Thorup said midfielder Emi Marcondes has a hip injury, so he will be out for one or two weeks.

• Midfielder Amankwah Forson is still out with a knee injury. Thorup is hopeful it will improve in "a couple of weeks time".

• On Borja Sainz's return from a six match suspension: "He is looking forward to it. We have told him not spit any more!"

• Thorup said the coaching staff have worked with Sainz on how to avoid unnecessary confrontations on the pitch: "We have spoken to him about tools to handle the situation."

• The head coach continued: "It's a completely new world for him (being the top scorer in the division). He is taking on information and really trying to deal with it."

• Thorup said Josh Sargent, Marcelino Nunez and Anis Ben Slimane will be managed carefully as they continue their return from injuries.

You can listen to full live commentary of Norwich City versus Preston North End with BBC Radio Norfolk on FM and DAB. Coverage begins at 20:00 GMT on Tuesday.

Norwich City forward Josh Sargent has joked that strike partner Borja Sainz is "getting a bit nervous" about being caught in the race to be the club's top goalscorer this season.

Sargent scored in the 1-1 draw with Derby on Saturday to take his goal tally to eight for the season - seven behind Sainz, who leads the Championship's overall golden boot race with 15.

The 24-year-old USA international has netted four goals in five games since returning to the side after missing 14 games following groin surgery.

"I think he's getting a bit nervous now... " Sargent told BBC Radio Norfolk.

"No, it's a good competition. I keep telling him every time I score, 'I'm coming for you' - but it's all good fun.

"If he's scoring or I'm scoring, it doesn't matter as long as we're winning games."

Sainz has served a six-game suspension after admitting to spitting at Sunderland's Chris Mepham in December and is eligible to return to the squad for the clash with Preston on Tuesday night.

"He's been training with us and it's always nice playing with him," Sargent added.

"We have a good relationship so it will be good to have him back for sure."

Norwich City will look to move into the Championship play-off spots when they welcome Preston North End on Tuesday night (20:00).

With both Blackburn and Middlesbrough not in action until Wednesday evening, the Canaries will climb into the top six with victory.

The Lilywhites are 15th and lost for the first time in five league games (W2 D2) in the 2-1 defeat at Blackburn last time out in the league.

• Norwich City are unbeaten across their past four league games against Preston North End (W2 D2), only once in the EFL recording a longer run against the Lilywhites – five matches between February 2002 and May 2004.

• Preston North End have lost just one of their past eight away league games against Norwich City (W2 D5), with their most recent visit to Carrow Road last season ending in a goalless draw.

• Norwich have won two of their past three home league games on Tuesdays (D1), scoring 4+ goals in each victory (4-2 vs Watford in February 2024, 6-1 vs Plymouth in November 2024).

• Preston North End have lost just three of their past 15 Championship matches (W5 D7) and although they lost last time out to Blackburn, they are yet to lose consecutively under Paul Heckingbottom.

• Brad Potts has scored three goals in his past four Championship appearances, as many as he'd scored in his previous 54 games combined. He's looking to score in three matches in a row for the first time.

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Norwich City head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup said his side must do better after conceding a 92-minute equaliser at home against Derby County.

"We know when you are only 1-0 up it doesn't take much for the game to change. It's tough but we have to get on with it and do better next time," Thorup told BBC Radio Norfolk.

"We had control of the game but in the first half we weren't good enough. We were not dangerous enough and didn't have the collective movement we needed to open up a low defending team.

"We knew it was down to us to create the flow and we were too slow. It was much better in the second half where we were better connected and we scored the goal, but it was not enough.

"We did better in the second half but I still expect us to be better."

Rob Butler
BBC Radio Norfolk Canary Call presenter

There is renewed optimism among some Norwich fans following two wins and a couple of new signings on transfer deadline day.

On Saturday, the Canaries host Championship strugglers Derby County at Carrow Road (15:00 GMT), it's the start of run which sees five of the next seven games taking place on home soil.

Ahead of the game, head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup has been speaking to the media.

Here are some of the key points:

• On the signing of Manchester City midfielder Jacob Wright on loan: "He's the perfect fit on the way we want to go. He can control a game. He is different to the other midfield players we have."

• On defender Ruairi McConville, who signed from Brighton: "He's so interested in his own development. He's a ball playing centre-back which is important to how we play."

• Thorup said Czech Republic winger Matej Jurasek has been training with the squad and is available for Saturday's game. Jurasek is clear to play following international clearance after signing in January.

• Thorup on Jurasek's qualities: "He wants the ball, he wants to press, he wants to shoot and dribble."

• Midfield duo Anis Ben Slimane and Marcelino Nunez are both fit for the visit of Derby.

You can listen to full live commentary of Norwich City v Derby County with BBC Radio Norfolk on FM and DAB. Coverage begins at 14:00 GMT on Saturday.

Norwich City welcome Derby County on Saturday afternoon (15:00 GMT) looking to continue their push for a play-off place after winning two games on the bounce.

The Canaries are eighth, just two points behind the top six, and are trying to win three league games in a row for the first time this season.

Meanwhile, the Rams have suffered seven straight defeats - winning just two of their past 16 games (D3 L11) - and are two points adrift from safety in 22nd.

• After winning the reverse fixture 3-2, Norwich City will be looking to record a first league double over Derby County since the 2010-11 season.

• Derby County have won each of their past three away league games against Norwich City, as many as across their prior 19 visits to Carrow Road combined (D4 L12).

• Norwich have only failed to score in one of their past 27 home league games, while only Leeds United (42) have scored more home goals in the Championship than the Canaries this term (36).

• Derby have lost each of their past seven league games – the most league defeats they've ever suffered in a row is eight, doing so on three occasions, most recently between December 1987 and February 1988 in the top-flight.

• Norwich's Josh Sargent has been involved in nine goals in his past eight Championship starts (5 goals, 4 assists). He also provided two assists in the Canaries 3-2 win over Derby in the reverse fixture.

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On Wednesday we asked what you made of Norwich City's business in the transfer window.

Norwich signed 19-year-old Manchester City midfielder Jacob Wright on loan with an option to buy, while Czech international winger Matej Jurasek, 21, was brought in on a long-term deal from Slavia Prague and Northern Ireland defender Ruairi McConville arrived from Brighton & Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee.

Lewis Dobbin was loaned from Aston Villa but Ashley Barnes, Christian Fassnacht, Kaide Gordon and Grant Hanley all left Carrow Road.

Here are some of your responses:

Sam: Appear to be some exciting additions and very much inkeeping with our new direction under Knapper/Thorup. Pleased to have lowered the average age of the squad and sent some more youngsters out for valuable EFL loan experience. Promising stuff but time will, of course, tell.

Peter: Where is the much-needed striker? It's not enough to fill the squad with midfielders. Who, apart from Sargent, is going to score the goals?

Trevor: On the face of it, looks like a good set of signings.

Joe: Excited about the signings and direction of travel. Well done NCFC!

Kevin: On the face of it, not bad, but we've been here before. I have the feeling this season is all about next season. Mainly to let players settle. As fans we have to be patient. We need to, next season, see a team and say 'yes, we can hold our own in the Premier League'.

Ron: JHT known for encouraging youth. Good as his word when he arrived, he is bringing them in. Not just for now, but in the future others will look at us and know this club is a fast route to first-team football. With our finances this is a credible route to attractive football and relevance whatever league we are in.

Stuart: I am very happy with the transfer window. We're now on our way back to the Prem.

Alex: It's a largely encouraging window with good depth added to the squad. It remains to be seen if the new players are ready to help us push for promotion now or will help us be stronger next season, as they are all largely unproven in the Championship, but there's a huge amount of potential in the squad and a real focus on youth, which is essential for a club like Norwich.

Andy: A pretty decent window. Some interesting signings and some dead wood off the books. I would say no players have gone that we wanted to keep. Also, getting Sargent back (and scoring) has been like a new signing. I would have liked to see another centre-back added to the squad, but overall a good window.

Michael: An excellent transfer window. Another striker would've been the icing on the cake but they don't come along too often. Ben Knapper is working well. Optimistic for play-offs but fearful of promotion!

Jacob: Best window we've had in a while. Able to bring in reinforcements and a defensive midfielder which we've needed since Tettey went.

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It's time to talk about Norwich City's transfer business...

On deadline day Norwich signed 19-year-old Manchester City midfielder Jacob Wright on loan with an option to buy the England Under-20 player at the end of the season.

Czech international winger Matej Jurasek, 21, was signed on a long-term deal from Slavia Prague while Northern Ireland defender Ruairi McConville arrived from Brighton & Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee.

Lewis Dobbin was brought in on loan from Aston Villa, though Ashley Barnes, Christian Fassnacht, Kaide Gordon and Grant Hanley all left Carrow Road during the window too.

Does Johannes Hoff Thorup have a squad capable of competing for one of the two play-off places which seem up for grabs with 16 games remaining?

We want you to tell us what you think about City's transfer dealings...

Let us know your thoughts here.

Image source, Rex Features

Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup said his side struggled to fathom out how to play against ten men after their nervy 1-0 win away against Watford.

Thorup said: "It was hard fought, but I'm pleased with the first half. I was really pleased with the start of the game.

"We were good and we were dominant. We should have been one-nil up after two minutes. It was a big chance for Sarge [Josh Sargent].

"After the red card the game changed a little bit. We should have done better in the second half. We were caught a little bit in-between whether to chase the second goal or whether we should just control the game.

"I'm pleased that we really didn't give anything away, but I'm not so pleased with the amount of chances we created."

Phil Daley
Radio Norfolk sports editor

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Norwich City travel to Watford on Saturday (12:30 GMT), looking to secure back-to-back Championship wins after victory over Swansea last weekend.

City boss Johannes Hoff Thorup has spoken to the media ahead of the game and here are some of the key points:

• Midfielders Marcelino Nunez and Anis Ben Slimane are both out but will be back in training next week.

• Gabe Forsyth and Amankwah Forson continue to struggle with knee problems, so remain out. "I hope I have 11 players for tomorrow," says Throup.

• Borja Sainz remains part of the first-team group in training despite his six match ban. He will be absent from Saturday's fixture and the following match against Derby County.

• Matej Jurasek will join the group next week and will be part of the squad against Derby next weekend.

• On the prospect of doing some business before the end of the transfer window, Thorup said: "I hope we can do a little bit towards the end of the window, we have to use every window to get where we want."

• On Watford, who Norwich beat 4-1 earlier in the season, he added: "We will try and do some of the same things we did against them earlier this season, but we will have a much different line-up this time - they are a great team.

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Norwich City midfielder Oscar Schwartau has drawn praise for his impressive performances this season since joining from Danish side Brondby in the summer.

The 18-year-old has made 24 Championship appearances for the Canaries, including in the 5-1 win over Swansea at Carrow Road last weekend.

Schwartau was one of two teenagers in the starting line-up against the Swans, with 19-year-old Lucien Mahovo also making his first start for the club.

"We have to talk about him because actually, for me, he is the unsung hero," said Chris Reeve, co-host of BBC Radio Norfolk's The Scrimmage podcast.

"He's 18, he's younger than Lucien [Mahovo] and he is brilliant. The ball carrying, the vision, the passing.

"And then to contrast Schwartau to Lucien - Lucien has got all of the physical attributes whereas I think Oscar, once he's beefed up in the summer, he's going to be a beast next season.

"So, in terms of all the young players, he's my man, he really is."

Fellow host Rob Butler agreed and added: "He is going to be some player.

"I think you're right and we've got to say that the Johannes Hoff Thorup connection and Glen Riddersholm [assistant coach] has brought him here, because clearly Ben Knapper [sporting director] got him but the Danish connection helped."

Schwartau has scored one goal so far for Norwich, which came in his excellent performance against Millwall on Boxing Day.

Listen to the Norwich City podcast The Scrimmage on BBC Sounds.

Watford welcome Norwich City to Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon in a clash between two sides hoping to keep their play-off hopes alive.

The Hornets are ninth and have picked up just one win in their previous seven games (D1 L5), while the 11th-placed Canaries have won four of their past seven (D1 L2).

• Watford have won five of their past six home league games against Norwich City (L1), scoring 2+ goals in four of those victories.

• Norwich City have won each of their past two league games against Watford and will be looking to win three in succession for the first time since September 1984.

• Watford have lost each of their past three home league games, a run which directly followed an unbeaten streak of 15 outings for the Hornets at Vicarage Road beforehand (W10 D5).

• Norwich have won just one of their past 11 away league games (D4 L6), failing to score in four of their last six outings on the road in the Championship.

• Norwich's Josh Sargent has netted four league goals against Watford, his most against any side during his club career.