Injured Norwich midfielder Anthony Pilkington (hamstring) will miss this weekend's Premier League trip to Sunderland. Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Norwich City boss Chris Hughton faces Sunderland selection poser to replace injured midfielder Anthony Pilkington
Paddy Davitt, EDP Sports Writer
Friday, March 15, 2013
4:12 PM
Chris Hughton admits Anthony Pilkington’s injury absence creates a potential selection dilemma for Sunday’s televised Premier League trip to Sunderland.
Hughton confirmed at Colney on Friday afternoon Pilkington will miss the trip to the north-east after suffering a fresh hamstring problem in last week’s goalless Southampton draw. The midfielder has had to pull out of the Republic of Ireland’s provisional squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers, but Hughton revealed he is not unduly concerned after Pilkington aggravated the same hamstring back in February at QPR.
“He will be out two to three weeks. We have to make sure we do it right now,” he said. “It is not the same area of the hamstring (as at QPR) and it is not a bad one. It is just short of a grade one, which will only keep him out for a few weeks but our responsibility is we want him available for as many of the eight games after this weekend. We have to treat it right and take no chances with him
“For us and him the international break has come at a bad time regarding his inclusion in the Irish squad but regards the length of the injury at probably a good time. There are options. Wes (Hoolahan), (Elliott) Bennett and also (Robert) Snodgrass who can play on that side. I suppose that is one area we have chopped and changed a bit because Pilky has missed a few games this season and it is an area we have to be a little bit flexible.”
Fellow midfielder Alex Tettey (knee) will also be given another two week break but is targeting a return for the trip to Wigan following the international shutdown. England keeper John Ruddy could re-join full training with the rest of the squad over the next fortnight.
“Alex will miss Sunday’s game but he will be available for the next game away to Wigan which is good news,” said Hughton. “With John we’re still looking at the end of this month. He has done a lot of good individual work. He hasn’t trained with the team yet and perhaps over the next couple of weeks he will do that. Then we’ll see his progress from there. He has had no setbacks and that is the main thing. I would have to say in Mark Bunn and Lee Camp they have provided some excellent competition between them and have worked hard. The opportunity to get John back has to be at the right time.”
Hughton confirmed talks are on-going to extend Chris Martin’s loan spell at Derby County, which expires after this weekend’s Championship derby against Leicester. Meanwhile, Korey Smith has joined League One Oldham on a one month loan deal and is available for the Latics’ weekend league game at home to Bournemouth.
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22 comments
its puzzled me all season why snodgrass doesnt swap from left to right during a game,especially if he isnt getting much luck on the left.perhaps he will be allowed tomorrow!surprised smith has been put out on loan again seeing as we are short in that department and also is howson a better player than him?we need a win tomorrow to ease the pressure,lets hope for a positive line up!!
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tonyb
Saturday, March 16, 2013
I would look to bring Whitts back but as right back and move Martin to midfield put Snods on the left and have Hoolan and Benno free role with Holt and Kai up front. I know Martin has done no wrong in defence but of late the do not lose mentality means he is not driving forward as much and I feel Whits will do that and then Martin can cover as Martin to me simar to Lappin can do midfield and full back. But the priority is being positive! OTBC
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Singapore Canary
Saturday, March 16, 2013
I would look to bring Whitts back but as right back and move Martin to midfield put Snods on the left and have Hoolan and Benno free role with Holt and Kai up front. I know Martin has done no wrong in defence but of late the do not lose mentality means he is not driving forward as much and I feel Whits will do that and then Martin can cover as Martin to me simar to Lappin can do midfield and full back. But the priority is being positive! OTBC
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Singapore Canary
Saturday, March 16, 2013
We will win against Sunderland and it will be because of the players and the manager, not the moaning fans "told Hughton what to do and he listened". remember that!
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Steady On
Saturday, March 16, 2013
I would look to bring Whitts back but as right back and move Martin to midfield put Snods on the left and have Hoolan and Benno free role with Holt and Kai up front. I know Martin has done no wrong in defence but of late the do not lose mentality means he is not driving forward as much and I feel Whits will do that and then Martin can cover as Martin to me simar to Lappin can do midfield and full back. But the priority is being positive! OTBC
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Singapore Canary
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Yeah, Chris Hughtons the negative one, not you!
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Steady On
Saturday, March 16, 2013
We shall lose at Sunderland as we will go out from the start and try to stop them scoring, a defensive mentality again I'm afraid.should the black cats score its game over as we have no chance of scoring twice. As I've said before relegation beckons unless CH changes his negative tactics.
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Essex yellow
Saturday, March 16, 2013
My feeling is that Hoots has instilled such a fear of losing into the players, they are too scared to use their creative talents to tweek the gameplan during the course of any given match and turn that into a winning formula! In any workplace you encourage your workers to use their initiative to achieve the best results. Hoots keeps his team so rigidly to the gameplan they have become a) predictable and b) incapable of doing anything that is different; like changing over to where they may be more comfortable on the pitch. Perhaps this is why the likes of Howson, Snodgrass, Hoolahan and even Holt have, at times, struggled to play according to their full potential. Just a thought guys. otbc
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Canarygirl
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Steady you on there Brew, you know the rules we cannot all keep agreeing like this!!
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MBA Marine
Saturday, March 16, 2013
I`ve been wondering whether we might try Kount draKula out wide, MBA - left or right. Man from the Prairie has previously posted that KK does play wide sometimes for Kansas City. Or try Snods left Little Benno right. I see little point in NOT giving Whits a go in the Tettey role because, sadly, Howson has been ineffectual for some reason. Assuming Whits IS really fit. The video clips shown here when we signed Whits bigged up his goal scoring feats and he DOES seem to be genuinely 2-footed. We need drive and threat from midfield, as demonstrated by Soton last week. To think we started the season with a plethora of midfielders and now we Keyboard Warriors are talking about using an injury-prone Scottish full back and an on-loan Sierra Leonean striker in that area! Funny old World; that of "Critics, detractors and those on the periphery". ;-) OTBC.
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Mad Brewer
Saturday, March 16, 2013
I expect Whooton will bring in an extra defender to replace Pilks. Or perhaps even a second goalkeeper? As long as he makes sure we have absolutely no threat up front he'll be happy. What an embarrassing fool he is. All the best fans - Ged (Fan Leader)
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Ged Steroo
Saturday, March 16, 2013
This is a game where a draw ,denying Sunderland the points, is vital. Perhaps a defensive line up of eleven city players on the goal line would be the best tactic. At least the forwards would be doing something worthwhile instead of their usual aimless meandering on the pitch.
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norman hall
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Against Southampton I was crying out for Benno on and switching Snods over. Why Howson stayed on I'll never know, he never turned up. I just don't know what he's thinking sometimes. Would it open us up to counters or something? You'd think you would want to go for the win though? Hope he does it this weekend. If we are desperate for a win or goals why doesn't he try two up front with the diamond? You could have Kamara, Holt, Wessi, Benno, Snods, Johnson...
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danpez
Friday, March 15, 2013
MBA, I kind of think the rule for away games is 'don't lose', and if we win that's a bonus. How did it all work in the first half at Swansea? What happened then that seemingly hasn't happened since away from home?
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richard
Friday, March 15, 2013
Richard, I 2nd that, I would love to see the wingers swap sides during the game. Can Kamara kick with both feet? as he is my choice to take Pilk's spot, Leaving E Benno free to pick up the pace when Kamara gets tired.
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MBA Marine
Friday, March 15, 2013
I am trying to subvert the mods on another thread.Muck Spreading Loke.Hughton says Tettey ought to be back for Wigan Sunderland are a dreadfully poor side but will we attack them?
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Peter Watson
Friday, March 15, 2013
I agree with Erpingham Tractor, as well. I hope their words come to pass.
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NorthCarolinaCanary
Friday, March 15, 2013
Just so long as it's a better performance than last year - remember watching that on TV and wishing I hadn't. Give Snodgrass freedom to switch wings as his instincts tell him.
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richard
Friday, March 15, 2013
Brew, I agree with you about giving Whits a go as a defensive midfielder. It's a gamble, but then again, so is playing Howson in that role. We haven't had much attacking from those positions so far, so it's not like we'll be losing something in that department. Actually, Whits has a goal this year, which is more than can be said for Howson and Tettey combined. You've been banging the Whittaker drum for a while, and I like the rhythm. Does Hughton hear the music? I doubt it - unfortunately.
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NorthCarolinaCanary
Friday, March 15, 2013
You know what? I think he might do it this time. The advantage is the ball gets crossed much quicker. As the Wright brothers of Erpingham will tell you ;-)
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sharky
Friday, March 15, 2013
I`ll happily go with that, Erps. It`d maybe surprise the opposition, anyway? I would be shocked and horrified if we turned out looking clueless and get a thrashing. There is plenty of talent in our squad. I think we`ll miss Tettey & Pilks, though. Time for Whittaker to play a part? OTBC.
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Mad Brewer
Friday, March 15, 2013
Easy enough. Play Snod on the left, Benno on the right. It really doesn't work the other way around. Get them the ball QUICKLY. Cross the ball into the area. Not float it. Not 10 feet over the far post. And score. I do realise there are eleven players trying to stop this approach, but we have had a whole week to know what we are doing. The bird turns and the black cat get bit. OTBC
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Erpingham Tractor
Friday, March 15, 2013