David Wagner has fired the starting pistol on the battle to be Norwich City’s top gun. 

The new City chief takes charge of his first Championship game for the Canaries on Saturday at Preston. 

Leading goalscorer this season, Josh Sargent, returns to the squad after missing Wagner’s FA Cup bow for a break following his hectic World Cup schedule. 

Wagner made it clear at his official unveiling he views the American as a ‘central striker’ rather than a wide option. 

But with fit-again Republic of Ireland international Adam Idah back in the mix, and Teemu Pukki leading the line against Rovers, Wagner admits he will have to disappoint one of his forwards at Deepdale. 

“To be fair, it's a great situation for a manager to have three top quality strikers with different skills, and at different ages as well. And this is what we have,” he said. “But the truth is, if you don’t want to play players out of position, and sometimes it's necessary over the course of a season, but if you like to use them to their strengths and in their best position, then normally only two of the three will start. This is a truth.

"In terms of the strikers if everybody's healthy, and everybody is on the same fitness level, then obviously one of them will not start and two will start. We will assess from week to week.

"Obviously then it might depend on maybe one or other feels a little bit tired for whatever reason. There are so many situations over the season. But it's great to have three quality strikers in your squad.” 

Wagner is prepared to upset his new players in pursuit of the greater good. 

“Everybody's invited to show in training I'm ready to start and, if so, great,” he said. “And if not, everybody is asked to give positive energy in the dressing room if they do not start, and then to perform when they come in.  

“To be honest, especially against Blackburn, I thought we were able to keep the intensity high and the performance on a good level because our substitutes did a great job.

"We kept the energy high. And this is exactly what we need. So, whether you start or not, whether you get 30 minutes, 15 minutes, half-time, or 90 minutes, I don't really care.

"For me, it's important that every minute you are on the grass, come on and invest everything for this football club. This is what is important.”