Angus Gunn must seize his chance at Norwich City in a crunch Premier League trip to Watford.

Head coach Dean Smith confirmed Tim Krul had been ruled out of Friday’s Vicarage Road relegation tussle with a shoulder issue.

Gunn deputised for the Canaries' first choice in a bruising festive spell that brought a 5-0 Boxing Day home defeat to Arsenal and a 3-0 reverse at Crystal Palace.

The 25-year-old also shipped nine in a record equalling loss for previous club Southampton on his last league appearance for the Saints, but Smith is tipping Gunn to prove his class.

“It can be a lonely place when you haven't got the protection that you need," said Smith. "We certainly lacked numbers when Angus came into the team recently. His last league game for Southampton is long gone. Hopefully that is out of his mindset now.

"This is a different club, and we've got players who are back now, a more experienced team in front of him, and he'll be a lot better protected than he was in the previous two games.

“I'm not one who would go up to Teemu Pukki, if he went six games without scoring and say, ‘Why haven’t you scored?’ Likewise I won't be talking to Angus about conceding goals.

"The important thing is this is a team game. Whether that is others scoring or creating chances for Teemu, or Angus being better protected so he can make saves to keep us in games or keep clean sheets.

“It's tough for goalkeepers when they're not protected as much as they can, and when they feel perhaps they made a mistake for maybe a couple of goals as well.”

Krul damaged his right shoulder in the closing stages of last weekend’s league win over Everton but City are not back in Premier League action until February 9, after tonight's trip to the Hornets.

“He was due to see a consultant so I will await the feedback from our medical staff,” said Smith. “It is a big loss. As we saw when he missed the two games against Arsenal and Crystal Palace.

"But when big players come out the team it's an opportunity for others. Gunny was disappointed with the results that we had in those two games.

"He's been working hard to get that opportunity back again and it presents itself with Tim now injured. He knows he's got to go and play well and who knows where that can lead? Gunny has to come in and keep his place now.”