Daniel Farke previewed Norwich City’s long-awaited Premier League comeback against Southampton - and we had all the key lines first from a video chat with the boss at Colney.

Farke confirmed central defensive duo Grant Hanley and Christoph Zimmermann will miss the remainder of the resumed season, along with left-back Sam Byram.

All three have hamstring-related injuries. Hanley suffered his issue in last week’s friendly at Tottenham and is expected to be out for between 12 to 16 weeks.

Both Byram and Zimmermann were on the way back from injury but have endured major setbacks. Farke’s best case scenario is the duo do not require surgery and can be in contention for the start of the next season.

“The long break did not help with a few lads. It is the end of Grant Hanley’s season,” said Farke, speaking at a virtual press conference from Colney. “He pulled his hamstring and his tendon was also injured in the Tottenham (friendly) game. He has surgery this Saturday and will be at out least 12 to 16 weeks. I hope he is back during pre-season for the next season.

“Sadly, also the end of this season for Sam Byram. He did the injury in the Liverpool game in February. We expected him back in team training end of May but there was a big setback in his rehab. He had an interrupted hamstring tendon.

“That had to be fixed with a screw and the bod yhas not accepted it. That makes it complicated. There is now a cyst we have to get rid of. We have tried special injection therapy but it will last a few more weeks.

“We hope he doesn’t need another surgery. That would also affect the next season.

“Christoph, also out for the whole of this season. Two or three times we have tried to involve him in team training but his body is not able to handle the load. He has chronic problems with his lower back and his hamstring tendon. Again, special injection therapy.”

Both Onel Hernandez (knee) and Timm Klose (knee) are back in the mix after lengthy periods on the sidelines.

City return to the pitch on Friday without any fans in attendance at Carrow Road, after last playing a competitive league game at Sheffield United on March 7 before professional football was put on hold due to the global pandemic.

• Recap the main lines from the virtual press conference, with full reaction and build up to City’s behind closed doors Premier League game against the Saints at Carrow Road throughout the day on pinkun.com