JONATHAN REDHEAD Dion Dublin will be missing from the Norwich City side to face West Bromwich Albion on Saturday after fracturing a bone in his back. The 38-year-old was taken off at half-time during the 1-0 defeat at Queen's Park Rangers earlier this month after an opponent landed on him towards the end of the first period.

JONATHAN REDHEAD

Dion Dublin will be missing from the Norwich City side to face West Bromwich Albion on Saturday after fracturing a bone in his back.

The 38-year-old was taken off at half-time during the 1-0 defeat at Queen's Park Rangers earlier this month after an opponent landed on him towards the end of the first period.

But City's caretaker boss Jim Duffy today revealed the extent of the injury to the versatile veteran.

“He's had a slight fracture in one of his vertebrae,” said Duffy. “So we don't know if it's something that's been there for a while - or whether it's something that happened against QPR. But the scan shows that he's got a slight fracture.”

And Duffy said while Dublin's injury could technically be classed as a broken back, the fact that he could return in just a couple of weeks means it is nowhere near as bad as it sounds.

“I suppose you could dramatise to that level - it is a slight fracture of a bone in the back, so, technicallly-speaking it is (a broken back),” he said.

“But it's not anything that will rule him out for months or anything like that. But with something like a back it takes time to settle down.

“He's been out for a couple of weeks already and the physio Neal (Reynolds) thinks it is a three to four week injury, but depending on how things settle down in that period.”

Dublin is not the only man missing for what could well be Duffy's final game in charge. Left-back Adam Drury, who limped off against Bristol City will also be missing.

“Adam's got a tear at the top of his calf,” said Duffy. “I'd be majorly surprised if he was fit for the Ipswich game, although he's a really determined guy I'd expect him to be out for the next couple of weeks.”

Meanwhile, young keeper Steven Arnold could be on the bench at the Hawthorns, as regular back-up stopper Matthew Gilks is suffering from tendonitis in his knee. It was an injury that flared up on Tuesday morning and forced Duffy to be without a goalkeeper on the substitute's bench for the Burnley clash. However, Duffy is hopeful he can return for Saturday.

The Scot also confirmed that long-term absentee Mark Fotheringham is unlikely to be playing competitively again before Christmas.