Norwich City goalkeeper Declan Rudd has suffered a fractured jaw in a practice match and will be out of action for several weeks.

Rudd, who will be 20 on Sunday, played for the Canaries in the FA Cup third round defeat by Leyton Orient last week, but has since sustained the injury in a behind-closed-doors game against Stevenage.

“He’s broken his jaw, which is not nice,” said manager Paul Lambert. “He’ll be out for a number of weeks.”

It means 18-year-old Jed Steer comes into the squad for tomorrow’s Championship game against Cardiff City at Carrow Road (3pm), with John Ruddy returning to the starting eleven.

Steer has been on the bench for the first team twice this season and 12 times last season and has played in first team friendlies. He will not figure in tonight’s FA Youth Cup tie at Fulham.

Lambert ruled out bringing in another senior ’keeper as cover.

“A senior goalkeeper’s only going to sit on the bench. That’s the problem you have,” he said. “But I don’t have any problems with Jed. He’s only a kid but he came away to Germany with us and did well with the first team.

“He’s got the stature of a man. He’s a very good goalkeeper, that’s for sure.

“We’re not in a position to bring somebody in at the minute. John’s there and Jed’s fine so it’s not something I’m going to worry about.”

Midfielder Henri Lansbury is fit to return against Cardiff after missing three league games with a hamstring injury – the last game of his current loan period from Arsenal, with no news on whether his stay will be extended.

“I’ll decide that – what I’m going to do with him. Then I’ll chat with Arsenal and I’ll chat with Henri himself,” said Lambert.

New signing Marc Tierney is also available tomorrow after completing his move from Colchester, while the City boss admitted that another of his left-backs, summer signing Steven Smith, could move on after failing to settle in Norfolk.

“The situation with Steven is he’s still getting over his injury – he’s doing really fine at the minute. But he’s finding it hard to settle here so I may have to look to move him on or let him go on loan or whatever the case may be. That’s why I’ve got to put it to bed,” said Lambert. “Everybody’s character is different and that’s why I needed to get a left-back. I had to.”

Midfielder Andrew Surman (knee) and defender Elliott Ward (calf) are “not too far off” returning from injury, while midfielder Stephen Hughes, with just two appearances as substitute this season, is finally back in action after an ankle injury.

“He played in the game the other day and came through it OK but he’s still a wee bit away from getting back into the first team situation,” said Lambert.