Defender could be involved at Colchester

Michael Bailey New signing Zak Whitbread will make the squad for Norwich City's grudge encounter with Colchester United in Essex tomorrow (3pm).The game is set for a first sell-out at the Us' Weston Homes Community Stadium as the Canaries go in search of making amends for their 7-1 opening day disaster at Carrow Road in August.

Michael Bailey

New signing Zak Whitbread will make the squad for Norwich City's grudge encounter with Colchester United in Essex tomorrow (3pm).

The game is set for a first sell-out at the Us' Weston Homes Community Stadium as the Canaries go in search of making amends for their 7-1 opening day disaster at Carrow Road in August.

Defender Whitbread, who joined from Millwall earlier this month, has yet to kick a ball in anger this season after a summer operation on a hip injury - but could feature at some point tomorrow.

Scottish midfielder Stephen Hughes and goalkeeper Declan Rudd are also in contention for the game, however City boss Paul Lambert - in charge of Colchester for that opening day drubbing before walking out to take over at Norwich 10 days later - is likely to name a side unchanged from the one that beat Exeter 3-1 on Saturday.

With Jon Otsemobor completing a permanent move to Southampton, Michael Spillane is expected to start full training on Monday after three months out with a serious hamstring injury.

Centre-back Jens Berthel Askou is still out with a broken metatarsal, although his recovery is going well according to the City boss.

Colchester lie six points behind the second placed Canaries, but have two games in hand on City and are now managed by their former Norwich academy chief, Aidy Boothroyd.

The Us are on a run of four straights League One victories - although their last outing was a 7-0 FA Cup spanking at Championship side Preston - while league leaders Leeds are the only team to have won at Colchester this season.