Farke reveals why Idah can handle the City spotlight

Adam Idah is the ‘natural born goalscorer’ with massive boots to fill for Norwich City on Saturday at Preston in the FA Cup third round.

Teemu Pukki has been ruled out with hamstring and toe problems, while understudies Dennis Srbeny (back) and Josip Drmic (hamstring) are also sidelined.

A growing list of injuries to City's striker stocks has catapulted the teenage Irish frontman into Farke's first team plans at Deepdale.

Idah made his Premier League debut in a late cameo against Crystal Palace on New Year's Day, and there will be another audition against Alex Neil's Championship promotion hopefuls.

"We totally trust him and he showed at the younger age group levels that he has a gift and he is able to score goals. He is a natural born goalscorer," said Farke, who handed Idah his senior debut in the League Cup at Crawley earlier this season.

"In front of goal he makes good decisions and can produce good finishes. He has to value this gift and understand he's really blessed. Hard work is the answer to improve, but he has a bright future.

"He has improved since Crawley, without a doubt, and he's full of potential.

"But if you go back to that Crawley game he was unfortunately involved in their goal and I remember there were a lot of people saying he was still too far away from being a regular. We backed him and supported him and feel he can improve.

"You need to be there in those moments. The other night, although it was a short period on the pitch, he looked sharp, but he didn't save the world so let's not expect too much."

Idah was poised for a loan move this month, but that is on hold until City's injury woes ease.

"Definitely not in the next days, because he is the only natural striker option at the moment," said Farke.

"Yes he is at the age where game time is good for him, but not before this weekend. He's physically strong and he is a good lad. There are no gifts for us when it comes to young players.

"I don't like to go overboard when they have played a couple of minutes in the Premier League or too strict when there is a poor performance.

"We hope Teemu can be back for Manchester United. If not, then definitely the game after against Bournemouth. He felt this hamstring problem the other day and he is still struggling a little bit with his toe injury."