The Canaries were today given the first indication that on-loan midfielder Jimmy Smith suffered no lasting damage from the nasty looking calf injury he sustained in last night's friendly defeat in Holland.

The Canaries were today given the first indication that on-loan midfielder Jimmy Smith suffered no lasting damage from the nasty looking calf injury he sustained in last night's friendly defeat in Holland.

City went down 2-1 to Dutch second tier side FC Zwolle in Harderwijk, but the result was probably less of a worry for manager Peter Grant than the sight of the Chelsea man disappearing into the dressing room on crutches after the game, then reappearing to make his way to the bus with heavy strapping on his left calf.

The 20-year-old Smith's second outing in Canary colours ended five minutes early when a heavy challenge left him prone in the centre circle for several minutes until he limped off with help, clearly in a great deal of pain.

He was taken to a local hospital for a check-up. City confirmed today that X-rays revealed no break, but it is too early to assess how long Smith may be sidelined.

Grant said: “He had an X-ray and it showed that nothing was broken. But we won't know any more until the next 24 to 48 hours because we need to let the injury settle down.”

The City boss was not pleased about the challenge that led to the injury.

“It's a difficult one,” he said. “I know what pre-season's about. Sometimes you're late in tackles because the legs are wanting to do it and the mind is not and you get there as quick as you can sometimes.

“It wasn't a great tackle, but I don't think it was malicious. We're disappointed but I think you are going to get that in pre-season, because people's timing is out.

“We've got to accept it as part of the game. It's just a pity after such a good performance from him.”

One bright spot for Grant was Czech striker David Strihavka's first goal for the club, which gave City an eighth-minute lead.

“His general play has been good and he's had chances in every game,” Grant said. “All round I've been very pleased with him.”

There were further injury concerns as Jason Shackell and Chris Brown were both left out of the squad as a precaution because of hamstring and knee problems, respectively.

Meanwhile Julien Brellier again sat out of the action as Grant admitted he was not close to making the starting line-up, while Darren Huckerby has already returned to England early with a groin problem.

“Julien been working very hard in the gym, but in the circumstances we had last year, it was a problem with us with injuries and playing players who weren't 100 per cent fit,” Grant said. “I still think even when he gets back now, we've got to work on his general fitness, but he's desperate to play.”