David Cuffley Simon Lappin's name appeared on the Norwich City teamsheet for the first time in 12 months in Saturday's FA Cup tie at Charlton - but a first team return is not just around the corner.

David Cuffley

Simon Lappin's name appeared on the Norwich City teamsheet for the first time in 12 months in Saturday's FA Cup tie at Charlton - but a first team return is not just around the corner.

The 25-year-old midfielder had not even figured on the bench for the Canaries since he was an unused substitute against Bury in the third round of the same competition exactly a year ago today.

But with seven substitutes being named in the FA Cup this season, manager Glenn Roeder included the Scot as one of them at The Valley.

However, Lappin's chances of adding to his 33 senior games for City still appear to be slim.

Said Roeder: “Simon knows he hasn't got a long-term future at the club and he accepts that. But I would have to say I'd give him a lot of credit because he's a model professional.

“He trains properly every day, he doesn't show a bad attitude and in a modern day footballer that's not involved in his first team, that's a rarity.

“The first sign of not being in the first team, they normally show off and throw their dummies and dolls out of the pram, and suddenly don't become these hard, tough men that they think they are. But Simon doesn't do that. He's a really honest lad and he's working hard and he deservedly came back into the squad.”

Lappin came close to being involved in the previous week's Championship game against Nottingham Forest.

“He was in the squad as well on Sunday,” said Roeder. “We just have to wait and see. I wouldn't be worried about playing him if I had to.”