Gary Hooper injury: Norwich City striker avoids long-term injury

Norwich City striker Gary Hooper has suffered only bruising in a worrying shin injury suffered at the weekend.

The 25-year-old was taken off on a stretcher in Saturday's friendly win over Panathinaikos - a week before the Premier League opener against Everton.

City's new signing went for scans amid fears of long-term damage.

"The X-ray and scan are fine and there is no fracture or any other problem which might indicate a long-term injury," said boss Chris Hughton.

"There is still some bruising Gary suffered from the knock and he will continue to be monitored and assessed over the days ahead."

Hooper arrived at Carrow Road last month from Celtic for a reported £5m, contributing towards Norwich's most expensive summer of recruitment, with Ricky van Wolfswinkel, Leroy Fer, Nathan Redmond and Martin Olsson also joining in an estimated £25m of spending.

Defender Sebastien Bassong, last term's fans' player of the season, is also a doubt for Saturday's match.

The 27-year-old Cameroonian came through his first pre-season action on Monday, having undergone knee surgery earlier in the summer, by playing 60 minutes in an under-21s victory over Stoke.

The Norwich academy's head of coaching Paul Nevin said: "Seb had a really good hour - he led the line well and and got a lot of good touches playing it out from the back.

"We're glad to see him come through the 60 minutes as planned."