JONATHAN REDHEAD Norwich City chief executive Neil Doncaster today found himself fighting fires for embattled boss Nigel Worthington as more problems mounted at Carrow Road.

JONATHAN REDHEAD

Norwich City chief executive Neil Doncaster today found himself fighting fires for embattled boss Nigel Worthington as more problems mounted at Carrow Road.

Responding to national newspaper reports, Doncaster revealed there had been a bust-up between star midfielders Youssef Safri and Dickson Etuhu ahead of Saturday's demoralising 3-1 defeat to Plymouth Argyle.

And the news comes as another blow to Worthington as he faces a two-match ultimatum from majority shareholders Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones to turn the club's season around.

He is also sweating on the fitness of star performer Darren Huckerby ahead of Sunday's must-win game with Burnley. But the reports of the clash between Safri and Etuhu will make for uncomfortable reading as the Northern Irishman faces a fans' protest ahead of the Burnley game.

The report said tempers flared between the midfielders as the players were on the team bus to the airport after the team's third defeat in four games. The story quotes a 'Canaries insider' who says: "They were having a real go at each other."

However, Doncaster confirmed a clash had taken place between the pair, but it was on the training ground before the game.

"There was a reaction to a physical challenge in training in the week leading up to the Plymouth game," he said. "It was between those two players. It was over in seconds.

"In a contact sport it is the sort of incident that happens in training around the country on a regular basis. Contrary to reports, there was absolutely no incident on the coach on the way back from Plymouth."