Dean Smith had his say on some of the key issues ahead of Norwich City's Championship game at Swansea.

The Canaries' boss held his pre-match press call at Colney on Friday morning.

This is what Smith had to say on the following.

Josh Sargent's eventful World Cup

We're still monitoring him. He's got a little bit of swelling still. (the striker suffered a sprained right ankle that saw him ruled out of the US's last-16 tie against the Netherlands). So it will be touch and go whether he's available or not. We'll have a good look at him today. And we'll make the final decision after the training session.

The US knock out game was last Saturday. He tried to train on the Friday and just felt it too much, so had to pull out of the game.

And then we got him flown back to the UK on the Monday so we could get eyes on him as quick as possible. It's not a bad injury by any means. It's a roll of the ankle, and he's got a bit of a swelling there. So overall it is fairly positive.

(What did you think when he did the injury originally against Iran?) I was amazed at the height he got on the fall. I'd spoken to him a couple of times while he'd been out there. I phoned him up to see how he was and he said he was okay.

He said it's nothing too bad. The scan had come back clear, which was really important. At that stage when I spoke to him he felt like he could be ready for that last game (against the Netherlands). But unfortunately, he didn't make it.

He was devastated to miss the knockout stage game, after starting two of the three games in the group. He went close to scoring at the back post with an early header in that first game (against Wales) and I thought he performed really well in all the games that he played.

We were really proud to see him out there. We were sat in Tampa watching the England game with a load of American fans and I half expected him to come on and score the winner. But we're really proud of what he's achieved, to go and play in a World Cup and perform the way he did.  

 

Manchester City practice game (Canaries won 4-1)

We played Man City but at St George's Park. Tottenham unfortunately had to pull out but we were able to get a really good run out. Both Andrew Omobamidele and Adam Idah played 30 minutes of that game last Saturday. Adam scored a goal and put in a really good performance. 

Swansea thoughts

A good challenge for us. Another football team, like ourselves, and we're looking forward to the challenge. Swansea is always a tough place. I think the players and the coaches have relished the break, and had a chance to reflect and improve. Hopefully we'll see the improvement on Saturday. 

They want to pass and move. They will try to pass out from the back, although they can go long from the goalkeeper as well. Along with Burnley they are probably the top two, in terms of most possession in our league.

I don't really know Russell (Martin) at all. But his assistant, Matt Gill, was my first ever signing at Walsall. We took him on loan from Norwich. And he was brilliant. And he's one who's reached out during his coaching career, just for advice off myself.

I've always kept in touch with him. I only spent three or four months with him, but what a good guy.