TEAM NEWS: Farke delivers major fitness boost for Boro trip
Daniel Farke previews Norwich City's Championship trip to Middlesbrough on Friday lunchtime Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Daniel Farke confirmed Norwich City’s international contingent had returned fit and well for the final Championship promotion push, starting with Saturday’s trip to Middlesbrough.
Farke delivered a positive fitness bulletin on Friday afternoon at Colney with the likes of Timm Klose, Teemu Pukki and Kenny McLean all making long haul trips to Eastern Europe over the past fortnight with their respective countries.
“Yes, everyone is okay,” said Farke. “The lads were a bit tired and some knocks. But all in all not too bad. Recovered, and available for Middlesbrough. No problem. It was good and important for us to calm down and not have the big pressure of a game for two weeks.
“So we could concentrate on players coming back from injury and do some individual work.
“The second week of the break is always a bit tricky. Players come back step by step. Some were in on Tuesday, some Wednesday and Thursday, some only trained with us on Friday for the first time.
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“Teemu was only able to join team training on Thursday. Kenny and Jamal Lewis were here on Tuesday, not too bad, Max Aarons just 45 minutes for his country this week so he is recovered and prepared. Ben Godfrey just had an individual session on Thursday.
“I am pleased there are no more international breaks and we can focus on the last five weeks. I would wish there is not so much game time for lads like Jamal or Teemu but I understand the international coaches have their own job to do.”
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Louis Thompson made his return from a knee injury with a development run out prior to the international break and could come into Farke’s thoughts for the travelling squad to the north-east.
“When he returned to team training he was in unbelievable shape for the first few days,” said Farke. “Then what happens is the more you train you struggle then to pick up the workload after that initial period. But, now, after four or five weeks of training he is ready to play matches. It is a good feeling to have Louis back.”
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