Russell in line for recall

David Cuffley

Darel Russell looks set for a recall to the Norwich City starting line-up for tomorrow's Championship match at Cardiff.

Russell, whose equaliser in the 1-1 draw against Blackpool gave the Canaries their first point of the season last Saturday, could replace Northern Ireland international Sammy Clingan, rated a “massive doubt” by manager Glenn Roeder after suffering a shin injury playing against Scotland at Hampden Park on Wednesday night.

Though 24-year-old Clingan was yesterday hopeful of recovering in time to play at Ninian Park, Roeder insisted: “Sammy's a big doubt. I don't think he's seriously injured and he's not definitely ruled out of tomorrow's game but he is a massive doubt.

“I actually think Sammy Clingan has done better in the three games that we've played than he did in pre-season. We'll see later even if he's capable of travelling to Cardiff.

“I think these international friendlies are a waste of time - what are we doing playing international friendlies in August?”

Russell's return was the logical step, said Roeder, if Clingan is sidelined - and even if Clingan plays, Russell is likely to force his way into the eleven.

“That would be the obvious thing,” said Roeder. “I just think it would be very hard to keep Darel Russell out of the starting line-up, full stop. He was unlucky not to start last week. All the players have shown in training they want to be starters, which is great. Training is very good at the moment but of course you can only start eleven.

“Darel's goal got us out of a hole that we should never have been in last week.”

Roeder, meanwhile, denied reports that he was ready to bid for Celtic striker Chris Killen.

The 26-year-old New Zealander has been linked with the Canaries and Ipswich but Roeder said: “Absolute nonsense. There hasn't been any interest and there won't be.”