Paul McVeigh lit the fuse for Robert Earnshaw's firecracker on his return to action with Norwich City - but can take nothing for granted when new boss Peter Grant produces his teamsheet for Saturday's testing Coca-Cola Championship trip to West Bromwich Albion.

Paul McVeigh lit the fuse for Robert Earnshaw's firecracker on his return to action with Norwich City - but can take nothing for granted when new boss Peter Grant produces his teamsheet for Saturday's testing Coca-Cola Championship trip to West Bromwich Albion.

In three weeks in charge of the Canaries, Grant has been at pains to point out that nobody's first team place is guaranteed.

And though McVeigh, recalled in attack after serving a three-match suspension, delivered a superb inch-perfect pass for Earnshaw to score the only goal of the game against Sunderland, the former Northern Ireland international must wait and see whether he retains his place at The Hawthorns.

“It was an opportunity for Paul but every single match is an opportunity,” said Grant. “I am trying to pick the right team for the right game. On Saturday I knew we were up against a tough side and we needed people who could pass the ball well. I don't think we did that well enough.

“Paul never let himself down and he had a hand in the goal, which is good, but whether I keep him in the side for next week I will look at.

“I've said to them before that I will not be afraid to make changes to a winning team and obviously I'm looking at the best team to play West Bromwich Albion.”

With winger Lee Croft set to discover today whether he needs surgery on his ankle injury - and definitely out for four to six weeks -

McVeigh, 29 next month, has another chance to stake his claim for an extended first team run.

He was recalled at the expense of 19-year-old Robert Eagle against Sunderland, making his first start since the 3-1 defeat at Plymouth six weeks earlier.

Grant hailed McVeigh as a “quality” player in his first week in charge, but was angered by the red card he picked up against Cardiff after coming on as a second-half substitute, which cost him the chance to figure in the next three games, when Earnshaw, Darren Huckerby and Croft all had injury problems.

Signed from Tottenham by former manager Bryan Hamilton in 2000, McVeigh is City's second longest-serving player behind club captain Craig Fleming. He also has more senior goals than any other current squad member, with 40 in 226 appearances.

The Belfast-born forward's contract, which was extended by 12 months last season, runs out next summer.