DAVID CUFFLEY Veteran Dion Dublin remains touch and go for Norwich City's Championship match at home to Bristol City.A back problem meant the 38-year-old missed the second half of the Canaries' 1-0 defeat at Queen's Park Rangers 10 days ago, a defeat that signalled the end of Peter Grant's reign as manager.

DAVID CUFFLEY

Veteran Dion Dublin remains touch and go for Norwich City's Championship match at home to Bristol City.

A back problem meant the 38-year-old missed the second half of the Canaries' 1-0 defeat at Queen's Park Rangers 10 days ago, a result that signalled the end of Peter Grant's reign as manager.

Caretaker boss Jim Duffy, taking charge for the first time against the Robins at Carrow Road on Saturday, said: “Dion's still struggling but he's improving so we'll just wait and see with that one.”

French midfielder Julien Brellier will definitely not figure after injuring his ankle in City Reserves' 3-0 defeat at Ipswich on Monday, but on-loan Jimmy Smith - who played 70 minutes at Portman Road - has a chance of being involved.

“Jimmy Smith has come back into the team for the reserves and he's trained all week,” said Duffy. “Jamie Cureton joined back in training yesterday, so he's working his way back as well.”

Duffy, who has applied for the manager's job at Carrow Road, will be in charge for at least two games, with a trip to Burnley coming up next Tuesday, while the board decide on Grant's successor.

Said Duffy: “If the job is offered to me I'd be absolutely delighted to get it. But the directors make that decision. They've got a process which they'll go through and when the time is right they'll announce who they believe is the guy to take the squad forward.

“I'd be delighted if it was me, but at this moment I think it's about the game on Saturday against Bristol City - it's about the result, the performance, the belief in the players and the confidence and that, I think, is paramount.

“The directors have got their job to do. That can go in the background a little bit. It's vitally important for the club and how they move forward but I think most supporters would probably agree that Saturday is the number one focus for them. That's all we can do - look straight towards Saturday.

“The most important thing is putting on a performance that shows the fans we can move forward.”

Duffy also revealed that defender Gary Doherty was set to see a specialist about the groin injury that forced him to miss the trip to Loftus Road.