Dean Smith previewed Norwich City’s opening Championship game at Cardiff City - and we had all the key lines first direct from Colney with the boss.

Barely 60-odd days after the Canaries exited the Premier League the fightback starts this weekend, with a testing trip to face Steve Morison's Bluebirds.

City appear to be closing in on summer signing number three with Chile international Marcelino Nunez tipped for a Carrow Road switch to join Isaac Hayden and Gabriel Sara.

But Smith is likely to have to rely on those who finished last season, plus some returning loanees, with Sara only joining team training in the last few days after completing his rehab from an ankle injury.

Smith confirmed he will make a late call for this weekend on both Sara and Kieran Dowell, who had a hernia op earlier this summer. The City chief later indicated in the press conference he will take no risks with his Brazilian signing, who has been out since April.

Smith declined to comment on those Nunez reports directly but did make it clear Norwich are pushing ahead with targets.

Ben Gibson (calf) and Sam Byram (thigh) miss out this weekend but are expected to resume training next week.

Grant Hanley is fit and available for the Bluebirds after an ankle issue forced him off at Celtic last weekend.

Tony Springett is still absent after rolling his ankle prior to the Scottish trip.

Recap the key lines from the press conference, with full reaction and build up on Pink Un+ throughout the day.