Norwich City fighting fit for final furlong

David Cuffley

Manager Paul Lambert will be spoilt for choice as Norwich City bid to move a step closer to a return to the Championship tomorrow.

The League One leaders will be aiming for their fourth successive away win when they face fourth-placed Swindon Town at the County Ground (3pm).

And competition for places has seldom been greater, with virtually a fully-fit squad to pick from for the trip to Wiltshire.

Apart from defender Zak Whitbread and striker Cody McDonald, who played the first 45 minutes for the reserves against Peterborough on Wednesday after more than five weeks on the sidelines and lack match practice, and forward Luke Daley, still troubled by a thigh injury, every member of the senior squad is likely to be fit and available.

If Lambert decides to change his starting line-up after the 3-1 victory at Huddersfield, the strongest candidates for a place are likely to be left-back Adam Drury, who played another 70 minutes for the reserves, seven weeks after his last senior outing at Walsall, and on-loan striker Stephen Elliott, whose two goals as a late substitute ended Huddersfield's unbeaten home record.

Anthony McNamee will be hoping to be involved against his former club but after being replaced in the starting line-up by Darel Russell at the Galpharm Stadium, he will probably have to settle for a place on the bench.

Lambert will keep his players guessing until he names his side before kick-off, but whoever gets the vote, he is confident they can cope with another testing away assignment.

He said: “Danny Wilson has done very well with them and they have had some good results in recent weeks, so it will be really tough, but we are playing well enough at the moment and, as always, we will go there and try to win the game.”