Norwich City's season looks set to finish just the way it started - amid a list of niggles aches, strains, and sprains. For as the Canaries prepare for their final away trip of the season to Cardiff City on Saturday, manager Nigel Worthington is busily counting heads in terms of just who he has left to fill that 18-strong travelling party.

Norwich City's season looks set to finish just the way it started - amid a list of niggles aches, strains, and sprains.

For as the Canaries prepare for their final away trip of the season to Cardiff City on Saturday, manager Nigel Worthington is busily counting heads in terms of just who he has left to fill that 18-strong travelling party.

Apart from long-term absentees such as Matthieu Louis-Jean, Darren Ward and Youssef Safri, the hard-pressed City chief is also going to be without England 'keeper Robert Green (ankle), ex-Cardiff striker Peter Thorne (hamstring), Leon McKenzie (back) and on-loan defender Zesh Rehman (virus).

To add to Worthington's complications, youngster Michael Spillane is still feeling the slight groin strain that saw him disappear at half-time in Monday's 3-2 home win over Queen's Park Rangers.

“We'll see what Michael's like - he's got a chance,” said Worthington, as the step up to adult football takes it toll on the Academy product.

Of greater concern to England fans is the progress of Green.

As far as Norwich supporters are concerned, the emergence of Paul Gallacher has sweetened that pill, but nevertheless all concerned are keeping their fingers crossed that Green's ankle trouble is of no major concern ahead of this summer's World Cup.

“Robert will not be ready for the weekend,” said Worthington, sounding an optimistic note. “He's just gone over on his ankle, tweaked a few fibres and it takes time.

“The important thing is that we make sure he's 100 per cent fit before we throw him back in - it's clearly an important time for him and his personal career.”

As for Gallacher's contract talks, Worthington revealed that a brief meeting yesterday was positive - even if both parties have yet to sign on the dotted line.

Of clear concern to the Scotland international are his prospects of winning regular first-team football after two long years in Green's shadow.

“I spoke to Paul very briefly yesterday and he's speaking to his family,” said Worthington.

“We'll just take it from there but I would like to do a deal and hopefully we can sort something out.

“He's really enjoyed his two years here. He loves the county of Norfolk, the city of Norwich, the football club, the facilities and the people he's working with, but first-team football has got to come into his thinking.”