Casualty list grows longer

DAVID CUFFLEY

Illness and injury problems are stacking up for worried manager Nigel Worthington as City prepare for tomorrow night's Coca-Cola Championship trip to Southend.

Star forward Darren Huckerby will almost certainly miss the clash with the Shrimpers at Roots Hall (7.45pm) after he lasted just 49 minutes of Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Coventry. Worthington revealed after the game that Huckerby had been struggling with a groin injury picked up in training last week, but had been determined to play.

And midfielder Dickson Etuhu, who was also substituted in the second half at the Ricoh Arena, is one of four or five players suffering from a chest complaint.

Add to that facial injuries for defender Jason Shackell and midfielder Carl Robinson and the Canaries, who were unchanged for their first six Championship games, are suddenly facing a big selection headache.

“Darren has a groin injury and it's very tender and he's very unlikely to figure tomorrow night,” said Worthington today.

“Dickson was quite poorly yesterday with a chest infection and he must be doubtful, and we have four or five players struggling with the same chest problem.”

Worthington, unhappy with what he felt was a lack of protection afforded his players by referee Jonathan Moss at Coventry, also had to have Shackell and Robinson checked over on their return to Norwich.

“Jason Shackell has had an X-ray on his cheekbone and that's all clear. Carl Robinson was looked at yesterday and we agreed he didn't need an X-ray but he's still very, very sore,” he said.

The City boss said he was unlikely to be able to add another loan signing to his squad in time for tomorrow's game and admitted: “It's a case of looking at who we have available later today.”

After Saturday's defeat, he revealed: “Hucks, to be fair to him, has played with a groin injury. He wanted to play, so we'll have to try to get him right. Dickson's played, feeling unwell.”