DAVID CUFFLEY Norwich City boss Peter Grant today paid tribute to winger Lee Croft for the way he has battled back from injury - and hinted that he could be in the side for Saturday's trip to Southampton.

DAVID CUFFLEY

Norwich City boss Peter Grant today paid tribute to winger Lee Croft for the way he has battled back from injury - and hinted that he could be in the side for Saturday's trip to Southampton.

Croft has been out for six and a half weeks with an ankle injury but has looked so impressive in training that he could go straight back into the starting line-up.

Grant said: “He looks smashing in training. The unfortunate thing is with the reserve game off on Monday, I never got to see him in a match. I would have no qualms about putting him in.

“He's worked extremely hard to get back, to get himself fit and has lost a lot of weight. Now I have just got to manage that properly.

“He definitely comes into my thoughts for Saturday. There are not many players you would say that about after six weeks out but he's one of them.”

Striker Robert Earnshaw (knee injury) and emergency defender Dion Dublin (groin strain) will both be given until the last possible minute to recover, while Paul Gallacher returns in goal.

Grant admitted that at least one of Gary Doherty and Craig Fleming would have to play in defence despite being sidelined for long spells, and both may play if Dublin is ruled out because Jason Shackell is serving a one-match ban.