Norwich City is ‘super lucky’ to have Shane Duffy back in the mix for the Championship play-off scramble.

The experienced Republic of Ireland international was pressed into emergency service in the 3-1 Easter Monday defeat at Leicester after a recent calf injury.

Makeshift centre back Jacob Sorensen was forced off inside the opening 10 minutes with a hamstring issue that was set to be scanned on Tuesday to assess the Dane’s potential lay-off.

Grant Hanley is not expected to be available until the final weeks of the campaign as he follows an individual fitness programme after eight months out with an Achilles injury.

But Wagner revealed Duffy came through his extended run out at the Foxes, and will be a key figure in Saturday’s derby showdown against Ipswich at Carrow Road.

“He played much more than we wanted him to play, because he only had one week of team training,” said Wagner. “I spoke with him after the game and his legs and fitness-wise looked okay. There was a lot of defending for our centre backs, a lot of focus and concentration required, and I think he did his job as well.

"Good to have him back and obviously now another week of training it will help him to prepare for the next game. We are super lucky to have him back at the right time.”

Jon Rowe, Dimi Giannoulis and Onel Hernandez are still unavailable as they battle back to fitness, and Wagner conceded fatigue could have been a factor in a lacklustre Leicester showing.

“I don't know. Fatigue, bravery, belief. I don't know exactly what it was,” he said. “But it was very clear too many individuals in ball possession did not do what they are capable of doing. But again, they are humans and it can happen, and for us it's to make sure that everybody is on the same page, and our demands are higher than what we've shown (at Leicester).

"We accept it, we respect it and if it happens against an opponent like Leicester, who will get automatic promotion – no-one will face them in the play-offs, I’m 100pc sure of this - we can accept it. Make sure you stay clear and calm in your head and focus on the next challenge.

“The positives were another super set piece goal. Great delivery and movement. Credit to our set piece department, with Hughesy (Andrew Hughes) analysing where we might be able to be successful.

"Defensively, without ball possession, we looked in general organised and but in ball possession we as a team, and some individuals, have to be better.”