Norwich City manager Nigel Worthington has a big tactical decision to make at Deepdale this afternoon.He has gone into his two previous away fixtures with a 4-5-1 formation and has seen his side emerge with just one point, despite creating plenty of chances.

Norwich City manager Nigel Worthington has a big tactical decision to make at Deepdale this afternoon.

He has gone into his two previous away fixtures with a 4-5-1 formation and has seen his side emerge with just one point, despite creating plenty of chances.

The system has worked reasonably well, without being a resounding success, and now Worthington has to decide whether to stick with one up front in what is a must-win game, or revert to the 4-4-2 shape that he has been using successfully in home games.

Robert Earnshaw scored his fourth goal for the Canaries in last week's home victory over Leicester but knows his place in the starting line-up is far from secure.

There's a fair chance he will be given a rare opportunity to impress away from Carrow Road. But there's also a possibility that his manager will chose to play Leon McKenzie on his own up front, with the Welshman once again being relegated to the bench to accommodate another player in midfield.

Whatever happens Dickson Etuhu is almost certain to return to the fray against his former club, having been restricted to a back-up role since a low-key performance in the home defeat against Ipswich on February 5.

With Youssef Safri likely to be ruled out with a niggling stomach injury he could either feature in a midfield two alongside Carl Robinson, or in a midfield three alongside Robinson and Andy Hughes.

If Worthington goes for the former option then Hughes is likely to find himself on the right flank in the continuing absence of Paul McVeigh, who has still not recovered from the back injury he sustained during the win over Sheffield United nearly three weeks ago.

If Worthington goes with one up front, then on-loan Charlton man Jonatan Johansson would come in on the right to provide the width.

Further back the defence will be unchanged for a fifth game in succession, with Adam Drury, Jason Shackell, Gary Doherty and Craig Fleming having proved themselves to be a solid unit since first playing together in the 2-2 draw at Leeds on March 11.