City boss Nigel Worthington today set out one big aim for the final 10 games of the season - to get Robert Green on the plane to Germany for this summer's World Cup.

City boss Nigel Worthington today set out one big aim for the final 10 games of the season - to get Robert Green on the plane to Germany for this summer's World Cup.

The Canaries' slim chances of reaching the top six in the Championship were all but mathematically ended by Saturday's dismal 4-1 defeat at Crystal Palace, and they look odds-on for a mid-table finish entirely in keeping with what has largely been a very mediocre season.

So for Worthington it's high time to try to rescue a few positives - not least the sight of a Norwich City player joining David Beckham and Wayne Rooney in the cast for the greatest football show on earth.

“This season has been very frustrating for Robert,” said the City boss, after England goalkeeping coach Ray Clemence was among the 19,066 crowd at Selhurst Park watching Green have an all too busy afternoon.

“But that's something for us to aim for over the next 10 games - for myself, the staff and the players give Robert the best opportunity of being selected for the World Cup this summer.”

Whether opening the door for Green's fellow England hopeful Andrew Johnson on such a regular basis was exactly what the City No 1 had in mind in terms of his own World Cup preparations is probably a good question. At least Saturday's announcement of the squad for tomorrow night's friendly clash with Uruguay brought Green reasons to be cheerful. He was still in and his big rival for that third 'keeper berth, Chris Kirkland, was nowhere to be seen. In fact he was on the bench for West Bromwich Albion's 2-0 home defeat by Middlesbrough on Sunday, still struggling to dislodge the Pole, Tomasz Kuszczak, from the Baggies' starting line-up.

A ticket for Green apart, Worthington insisted that the fight for the play-off line would continue until the death.

“It's hugely difficult now, but until it is mathematically impossible you are always in with a chance,” said Worthington. “The one thing I will say is that you will never get anywhere with performances like Saturday's.”

Meanwhile, Green's City goalkeeping colleague Darren Ward is reported to be progressing well after a back operation that took

place on Friday.

City physiotherapist Neal Reynolds said: "I have spoken to Darren who is fine, walking around and should be leaving hospital today. The operation went well and they did exactly what they wanted to do.

“The disc has been taken out and they have tidied around the area, which will hopefully free up the area and reduce the potential for any future problems."