City boss Paul Lambert has one fresh injury concern as he prepares his squad for their final two pre-season matches.

After Saturday's 3-0 win at Coventry, the Canaries face home games against Real Zaragoza on Wednesday, and Parma on Saturday, before the real business begins in the Premier League at Wigan on August 13.

But with defender Elliott Ward and striker James Vaughan already ruled out of the big kick-off, it was the midfield department's turn to suffer a casualty at the Ricoh Arena.

'Andrew Crofts got a bit of a kick towards the end of the first half. I just need to see how he is,' said Lambert.

Better news is that winger Anthony Pilkington, yet to appear for City as he recovers from the broken leg he suffered with Huddersfield in March, is getting closer to a return to action – though how soon is not yet clear.

'I'll wait and see. He's done really fine in training at the minute,' said Lambert.

Lambert admitted there was a growing sense of excitement among the squad with the Premier League season less than two weeks away.

'It's new for everybody at the football club and you want to play for real,' he said. 'We have two more friendlies against two top sides and once we're finished all our attention is on the first game.

'I'm pretty sure when we get into the final week and come the first game, that's when it will really hit them.'

The City boss was well satisfied with the display at the Ricoh Arena where he again used 21 players, the goals coming from Aaron Wilbraham, Steve Morison and Elliott Bennett.

'I'm delighted with the way we played. Everybody has worked really hard over the course of the season and it's another game down, at a lovely place to come and play,' he said.