Top trio will be back to compete for Norwich City

Manager Paul Lambert will welcome back his international brigade as the Canaries prepare for tomorrow’s Championship match at home to Reading (3pm).

Three of the team that started the 2-1 defeat at Burnley last week played away games for their countries in midweek.

Midfielder Andrew Crofts was in the Wales team beaten 3-0 by the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Tuesday, striker Simeon Jackson appeared for Canada in their 1-0 defeat by Greece in Larissa on Wednesday, and on-loan midfielder Henri Lansbury played an hour for the England Under-21 side beaten 1-0 by Italy in Empoli on Tuesday.

In addition, goalkeeper Jed Steer was on the bench for England Under-19s against Germany at Chesterfield, another 1-0 defeat.

All four are likely to be in the squad as fourth-placed City bid to bounce back after losing at Turf Moor, only their second defeat in 16 Championship games.

Lambert must also decide whether to bring midfielder Andrew Surman back into the squad after just six senior outings for the club so far.

Out since November with his second knee injury of the season, summer signing Surman played three quarters of Tuesday’s Norfolk Senior Cup tie against Dereham Town at Carrow Road.

For Reading, former City loan defender Alex Pearce could come back into the reckoning after a thigh injury, while midfielder Brian Howard has returned to full training.

But definitely out is midfielder Mikele Leigertwood, currently serving a three-match ban after he was charged retrospectively by the FA with violent conduct following a melee in the 2-2 draw at Cardiff.