Lambert is hoping defender recovers

Michael Bailey

Paul Lambert is sweating over the fitness of Russell Martin ahead of tonight's rearranged League One clash at Walsall.

The right-back was pulled off at half-time in the terrific 1-0 win over Brentford on Saturday due to a hip injury and with his natural replacement, Michael Spillane, only just back in full-time training following a lengthy absence with a hamstring tear, the City boss will be hoping Martin recovers in time.

"We need to see how Russell Martin is; that's why he came off at half-time, he got a knock early on in the game and I think he's the only one at the minute, but hopefully he'll be OK," said the Norwich manager. "It's his hip that got a bang on it, so we'll see how he is."

Grant Holt begins a three-match suspension following his straight red card at the weekend - although Lambert was giving few clues to the City skipper's replacement.

"Whoever comes in will do great for us," said Lambert, who has no plans to step away from the diamond formation serving him so well this season.

"The players can adapt because they had to on Saturday, so I know they can play different ways. As I say, the players make the system and the better players you have the easier the game becomes.

"The lads have found a way that they seem to enjoy playing, they're the ones that play the game. The thing with losing Grant is that it's a straight swap for somebody else because he's a striker, and that's the thing we've got.

"Whether I change the system or not, I know people can adapt to it because they've showed me on more occasions than not that they can change. So I don't have a problem."

Walsall are the only team to have kept a clean sheet against City in League One this season, with the two sides sharing a drab goalless stalemate at Carrow Road at the start of September.