Daniel Farke will have to sift through his casualty list but be in no doubt the Norwich City head coach aims to reach the next stage of the League Cup.
Farke saw enough in a competitive pre-season affair against Charlton to know the Addicks deserve respect, ahead of Tuesday’s second round test at Carrow Road.
“I am a really big believer in the cup competition and I want us to go through to the next round, without any doubt,” he said. “Although there are some problems and some guys need some rest we also want a good starting XI on the pitch. Charlton were a really good squad with a good chance for promotion and they have high expectations. It was a close game in pre-season. It could have been a draw or even a defeat for us. We need to be 100pc.
“It is important after (Aston) Villa to have a good result and performance. Although I am thinking about giving a break to some young players it is up to me to find the right solutions.”
Farke has limited room for manoeuvre to shuffle a defence which was pummelled at Villa Park.
“Perhaps we wouldn’t concede so many goals if we had a 100pc Timm Klose and Ivo Pinto there,” he said. “We have to struggle right now in this moment, especially when I look at the last row. James Husband improves from game to game but has not played a lot in the last year. He has to play every minute because there is no other option on the left with Harry Toffolo and Jamal Lewis out. The same on the right side. Ivo is so important for our squad but we have had to do a lot without him and Russell Martin has to help in this position.
“That means, in addition, with Timm out we have no other option at centre back so Christoph (Zimmermann) and Marcel (Franke) have to play each and every minute.”
Pinto should return from a back problem this evening but compatriot Nelson Oliveira (groin) is ruled out, while Klose is only back in training in the last few days.
“Nelson, no chance,” said Farke. “Like I said, problems with his groin. To be honest it didn’t help to put him on the pitch at Villa but we felt we were close to turning the game. For sure, Millwall is a concern as well. I hope we will have him back because it is good for the self-confidence of a striker to already have three goals. He is really important for our squad.
“Ivo, some good news. It was not a muscle problem or he was tired. The problem was he got a hit on his back against QPR so was not able to turn or twist or sprint. It looks like he can return for Tuesday.”
Cameron Jerome is also nursing a groin injury but Farke suggested he should be fit for action this week, along with Marley Watkins (foot injury).
“Marley is a little bit better. Not 100pc but improving every day,” said Farke. “He got a bang on it against QPR and is still feeling it. We have to wait a little bit but I hope he can play.”
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