Norwich City defender Elliott Ward has been omitted from the club's 25-man Premier League squad. Picture: Denise Bradley

Norwich City defender Elliott Ward is the odd man out in 25-man Premier League squad

Paddy Davitt, EDP Sports Writer Tuesday, September 4, 2012
9:29 PM

Norwich City defender Elliott Ward is the main casualty after being omitted from Chris Hughton’s Premier League 25-man squad listing.

The experienced central defender will play no part in the Canaries’ league campaign until at least the New Year period after Hughton had to submit his squad in line with Premier League rules following the close of last week’s August transfer window.

Ward has missed the early part of the league campaign after picking up an ankle injury during pre-season, but Hughton revealed recently the former Coventry and West Ham centre-back had returned to light training.

The arrival of summer signings Michael Turner and Sebastien Bassong allied to the impressive form of Leon Barnett appears to have pushed Ward down the pecking order. Hughton sanctioned a season-long loan move for fellow centre back Dani Ayala to Nottingham Forest earlier this summer and Ward’s exclusion from City’s Premier League squad could raise the prospect of a temporary spell away from Carrow Road.

The loan window for Football League clubs is set to re-open later this week and Ward is sure to be in demand after playing a key role in City’s successful Championship promotion campaign. The 27-year-old missed the first seven months of last season’s Premier League tilt when he suffered knee ligament damage on the club’s German pre-season tour, but Ward starred in a 3-2 win at Swansea in February on his return. The defender went on to make a further 12 Premier League appearances over the remaining months of last season.

Steven Whittaker and Jacob Butterfield are both included in the 25-man squad released by the Premier League tonight, although both have yet to make a Premier League appearance for the club. Whittaker damaged ankle ligaments in pre-season whilst Butterfield continued his fitness return from a knee injury with a midweek 90-minute run out in the development side’s home league defeat to Reading.

Hughton’s decision to utilise his full quota of senior players also rules out the prospect of bringing in any potential free agents, who could be signed outside the transfer window.

City’s squad list complies with Premier League rules on the inclusion of at least eight ‘homegrown’ players – denoted by players who have been registered with clubs in either England or Wales for the past three seasons.

The likes of Korey Smith, Declan Rudd and Jed Steer and new Tottenham recruit Harry Kane are eligible to feature in the Premier League without being listed in the 25-man squad as top flight clubs can supplement their lists with unlimited players aged under 21 at the start of this calendar year.

Changes can only be permitted to the declared squads outside the two seasonal transfer windows in what the Premier League term ‘extenuating circumstances’. The squad regulations do not apply to Capital One or FA Cup matches.

• Norwich City 2012/13 Premier League declared 25-man squad (excluding players aged 21 or under on January 1, 1991)

Goalkeepers

John Ruddy, Mark Bunn.

Defenders

Russell Martin, Steven Whittaker, Sebastien Bassong, Ryan Bennett, Michael Turner, Leon Barnett, Javier Garrido, Marc Tierney.

Midfielders

Simon Lappin, Bradley Johnson, Jonathan Howson, Andrew Surman, Anthony Pilkington, Wes Hoolahan, David Fox, Elliott Bennett, Alexander Tettey, Jacob Butterfield, Robert Snodgrass.

Forwards

Grant Holt, Simeon Jackson, Steve Morison, Chris Martin.

31 comments

Hendecagon Brew! Thank god for my little green book (Dictionary). You certainly know where to find them, unlike Bo-Peep...can only hope that the 5 front men don't fall over each other trying to grab the glory. We don't want any friction in the front line. By the way.......Did you understand my Chevron formation.? If so pass it on to Ged, who is in regular contact with the management, I beli-eve.

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Pa Snipps

Tuesday, September 11, 2012
I think Cinnamon also has only a year left? Moro has 2 (I think) and Citizen Kane is only on a season`s loan. Only Holty has a full 3 years left. I`m happy to be corrected if those contract periods are wrong! Like Johnny Gavin, I would have preferred we`d kept Pitbull before CM - but IHWT. That "Chevron" formation is fascinating, Pa. At one time I thought Hoots might be going for the 11-goalkeeper Hendecagon, with Robert Green recruited so one of them is allowed to handle outside the penalty area. ;-)

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Mad Brewer

Tuesday, September 11, 2012
If Chris Martin does not get sold in the next "window", he`ll be a free agent next summer = no fee. Unless Hoots rates him and he makes a Barnett-like comeback? (+ a contract extension?). I think CM only has a year left and he`ll be 24 by then?

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Mad Brewer

Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Elliot Ward drew the short straw...ok, someone had to go, but we have FIVE Strikers all hoping to catch the eye. Mistake I think!

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Pa Snipps

Monday, September 10, 2012
I don`t think ward should be written off. The resurgence of Leon Barnett meant someone had to go and Elliott`s the one.

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Mad Brewer

Monday, September 10, 2012
Double chevron formation, corporals stripes, stripes Jones. dont panic they dont like it up them , wee're doomed, you stupid boy. Blast these international breaks

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wivenhoebudgie

Friday, September 7, 2012
I am very happy with the 25 man squad and feel quiet confident that those players will not just keep Norwich in the premier league but a higher leaue finish in may next year than may this year.Also i see a few good combinations working through the team from front to back

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capital-canary

Thursday, September 6, 2012
The the problem that I see with the Parsnip's Double Chevron formation is that it leaves the "three tenors" at the back which does not seem to work for us.

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Swiss Canary

Thursday, September 6, 2012
Holt surely needs someone with him for his lay offs and knock ons and without being unkind hasn't the speed for the Premier Div up front alone

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blackdog2

Thursday, September 6, 2012
Whoa there Pa boy! This got to be like the oosalum bird who vanished up his own orifice! Good try but would the players understand it if you did the team talk?

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blackdog2

Thursday, September 6, 2012
Agree with DocOhNo about Owen, we need to looking more towards the Kane's of this world. I can understand some comments about the youngster and pressure etc. But the quality of the young players we have had from the London clubs Bertrand etc has been good and I wish young Kane well. Pa Snipps hear what you say but not sure we are set-up for one up front, even if it is Holt; I thought we have looked better when have two up front, but with the type of mid-field players we have it may just work. What I would wish for more is a settled team that has the chance to gel and play well. All in all a stronger squad than last year - hope those not in the 25 do get a chance to go out on loan and actually get to play, especially young Rudd and Steer. I see a few interesting late nights out here watching the lads in action. OTBC

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Singapore Canary

Thursday, September 6, 2012
Mr Ed! ...You say that you disagree with my assessment of Hoolahan and your preference for both Snodgrass and Howson...You then went on to AGREE with what I had put forward, and if you read my comment again you will see that all three were in my selection. It would mean that only a secondary role would be available for Morison, Jackson or Martin, “our kick and rush men.”.... I would call my line up “The Chevron”, like a army corporal's stripes, with Holt at the sharp end and Hoolahan in the supply role just behind. Snodgrass and Howson, would occupy the left in tandem, and Johnson and Pilkington would do the same on the right. Each of the 6 would have their own area of operation, and be able to play fantastic triangles. I could go on but to save you all getting bored will come to a halt....unless of course there is a request for me to do elaborate further!

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Pa Snipps

Thursday, September 6, 2012
I am quite relieved that we didn't sign Owen. I remember the previous Premier League adventure where Worthy decided to invest in a load of elderly players retiring from Italy. I hope Kane lives up to his promise. I also think that Morison will surprise a lot of people, probably away from home. He seems to be a confidence player and at Carra Road the 1st time his touch is off the crowd are straight on his back, less so at away games. Much happier with Morison than Chrissy Martin who must be on his umpteenth chance to show how good he is (happy for him to prove me wrong!).

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DocOhNo

Thursday, September 6, 2012
Im in agreement with MLS on the striker situation would have liked to see a proven striker come in,but it has not happened so we must trust in CH,I think we may be suprised by young Kane i dont think the pressure would get to him at all these youngsters often thrive on the chance to prove themselves,its also good to hear Carroll wont be playing next week,fingers crossed for 3 points OTBC

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ncfcforever

Thursday, September 6, 2012
Pa Snipps - Sorry, but I have to disagree re Hoolahan, as I think Snodgrass or Howson offers more - both in attack and defence. I think you'll find that you've a good deal of support, but for me, he often tried to take on one player too many!!

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Mr Ed

Thursday, September 6, 2012
I'm very happy with the squad, although i had hoped we may have an out of contract striker waiting in the wings! Harry Kane sounds like a good prospect, but isn't proven at this level and we can't heap too much pressure on him. Best of all, though, I'm glad to see that Hughton doesn't value Elliott Ward as highly as Lambert did. I'm more confident of our prospects now! MLS

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MLS

Wednesday, September 5, 2012
I posted this earlier on the debate board, but seems no one has been on there....I cannot understand the question of Wes Hoolahan fitting or not fitting into the side! How can you make an omelette without eggs?... Answer !..you can't! Hoolahan should be the FIRST name on the team sheet, and then the others fit in around him! God! It's so obvious. Put his name down first. Next, it's Holt ahead of him, then Snodgrass and either Howson or Surman to his left, and Johnson and Pilkington to his right. This about scoring goals. The defence does not matter , they only have to stop the opposition, not create anything!

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Pa Snipps

Wednesday, September 5, 2012
@zebbee,your earlier post? I think you may be onto something, it crossed my mind too.

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Dissaster

Wednesday, September 5, 2012
feel a bit sorry for ward.i know barney makes the odd error,but he always gives everything he has got.squad looks as strong as i have seen it for a long time.otbc.

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bluelight

Wednesday, September 5, 2012
What a difference a couple of good performances make to everyone's mood. Just need that first win to really get the season going! Snodgrass has begun to show that he is more than capable at this level and I have a good feeling about Pilks this season. I just hope that Howson can start to influence a little more, if not then Hoolahan needs to come back in for me. As for Barny - I think he had the worst five minutes I have seen a CB play against Monchengladbach, but credit to him and CH for turning it around - lets hope he can form the regular CB partnership with Bassong we so crave! OTBC

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MellowYellow

Wednesday, September 5, 2012
I think Ward is a good player, but Martin showed us last year how good he is in the middle, if needed... and CH must be thinking about where he can play Whittaker when he's fit. Lots of depth to the defence and midfield in this squad.

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Harry Armpit

Wednesday, September 5, 2012
looking forward to see what CH does with his strikers.I hope he gives Kane a fair chance.We know what the rest have to offer.Holt needs a goal.

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Peter Watson

Wednesday, September 5, 2012
I think Ward is a good player, but Martin showed us last year how good he is in the middle, if needed... and CH must be thinking about where he can play Whittaker when he's fit. Lots of depth to the defence and midfield in this squad.

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Harry Armpit

Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Well done Lappin. If loyalty and persistence was everything, you'd be a world class player.

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Harry Armpit

Wednesday, September 5, 2012
I hope that the 'trend' will be for Ward to join Ayala and Vaughan out on loan. Ward was unlucky with his pre-last-season injury when he was generally on the up in his performances. He showed some, albeit sporadic, signs of his potential at the end of last season, but needs a long run of games (on a Championship-level loan) to prove whether his abilities are really likely to be up to City's ever-increasing standards.

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Robin Hood

Wednesday, September 5, 2012
There's defintiely a trend developing here. Ayala, Vaughan, now Ward. Hoots obviously isnt too keen on having injury prone players in his initial squad.

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zebbee

Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Thank heavens Elliott is out, I don't mean to be too harsh but he is a bit of a carthorse that goes to ground when he shouldn't and and stays on his feet when a slider is called for. I'm thinking of Liverpool at home last season, what a disaster he was. I have seen him loads of other times too, before the trolls get onto me. OTBC IHWT.

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lordbesty

Wednesday, September 5, 2012
This has zilch to do with this board, or City, but did provide an early morning laugh, or, more correctly a guffaw. I've just left the BBC football, gossip column. I quote, "In extracts from his latest book, Wayne Rooney says . . . . . ". His latest book folks - his latest!! The boy's obviously deeper than I thought. Does a Pulitzer Prize await our Spud?

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Dissaster

Wednesday, September 5, 2012
I think Chris Hughton has done very well indeed assembling this squad. He must see something closer-up in the Vaughan C. martin thing, so we will have to trust his judgement on this one. Certainly some players in the squad with something to prove and that should mean they have to work hard and the comeptition for places is very healthy. Looking good this city squad. I am sure a good home win against West Ham next would have everyone at the club feeling very happy moving forwards. OTBC

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Dubai Canary

Wednesday, September 5, 2012
It looks like a stronger squad than last season and I agree that I would have gone the other way on VaugahanMartin but the deal is already done and it looks like Chris will need to prove himnself this season. I think it is the right call on Wardy but Turner still needs to put in a solid shift. Barney seems to have regained his mojo so long may that last. I assume that "excluding players aged 21 or under on January 1 1991" is a typo as that covers anyone up to the age of 41. Sorry Duncan Forbes, you are out.

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Swiss Canary

Tuesday, September 4, 2012
City's strongest squad since the dream years (early 70s to early 90s). Only change I would have made is Vaughan for Chris Martin.

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Johnny Gavin Lives

Tuesday, September 4, 2012