Michael Bailey Norwich City manager Paul Lambert is sweating over the fitness of Darel Russell ahead of tomorrow night's League One trip to Southend (7.45pm).The Canaries midfielder was withdrawn with 20 minutes remaining of their FA Cup exit at Carlisle on Saturday because of a dead leg, and may not have recovered in time to take on the Shrimpers at Roots Hall.

Michael Bailey

Norwich City manager Paul Lambert is sweating over the fitness of Darel Russell ahead of tomorrow night's League One trip to Southend (7.45pm).

The Canaries midfielder was withdrawn with 20 minutes remaining of their FA Cup exit at Carlisle on Saturday because of a dead leg, and may not have recovered in time to take on the Shrimpers at Roots Hall.

However, Lambert should be able to call upon Jens Berthel Askou after he missed the long and ultimately disappointing haul north to Cumbria.

The centre-back called off late on Saturday because his wife was sick, but he is hoping to be available for City's return to league action.

New loan signing Anthony McNamee comes into contention for the first time since his switch from Swindon, and may get an early chance to shine should Lambert shake things up after Norwich's weekend disappointment, while Stephen Hughes and fellow November loan signing Russell Martin are pushing for starts.

After their FA Cup exit, the Canaries will be aiming to bounce back immediately - and build on a five-game unbeaten run in League One stretching back to the 2-1 defeat at Leeds in October.