CHRIS LAKEY Robert Earnshaw may be a doubt for tomorrow's return to Championship action against Plymouth. The Canaries hit-man has been carrying a niggling knee injury since early December and almost missed last weekend's FA Cup third round victory at Tamworth.

CHRIS LAKEY

Robert Earnshaw may be a doubt for tomorrow's return to Championship action against Plymouth.

The Canaries hit-man has been carrying a niggling knee injury since early December and almost missed last weekend's FA Cup third-round victory at Tamworth.

The problem flared up again during the 3-1 New Year's Day defeat at Crystal Palace and he needed a late fitness test before being declared available for the cup tie - a decision which avoided further transfer speculation over the much-admired striker.

“It is a problem,” admitted Grant. “It's the injury he got in training and missed a game. Then he jarred it again at Crystal Palace with 10 to go. It is a big problem for us for different reasons because if he hadn't played people would have said it was because of x, y and z.

“He had a fitness test on the Friday before we left to go to Tamworth and he felt much better. It was great credit to physio Neal (Reynolds) and the staff who tried to get him back.

“He got the scan done and yes it's showed something, but nothing massive. The wee man was desperate to play.”

On top of Earnshaw's league appearances, he has also played four international games for Wales - only fellow international; Carl Robinson has been busier this season.

“He has played an awful lot of games,” added Grant. “He has played for Wales, like Robbo - you forget how many games they have played, near enough every game in the Championship plus internationals.

“There has been a lot asked of their bodies, and that is one of the reasons we need more people scoring - because you can't expect the wee man to do it all. I will be looking at times to take him off and rest him, no doubt.”

Earnshaw has trained this week, but has not been pushed.

“We have been cagey with him,” confirmed Grant. “If he feels anything even five minutes into the game he has to come off. But I was going to take him off in the game at Tamworth last week, but he wanted to stay on, he was desperate to stay on.”

Luke Chadwick is still recovering from the knee injury sustained on his debut at Ipswich in mid-November, while striker Peter Thorne has missed training this week because of a mouth abscess.

Ryan Jarvis is also a doubt after picking up an injury in the reserves game against Tottenham on Monday.