Norwich City

There's plenty at stake as Hull City welcome Norwich to the MKM on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

After their midweek defeat at Burnley, their second straight, the Tigers remain in the Championship relegation zone below Derby by virtue of their inferior goal difference.

The Canaries have fallen to 11th, four points adrift of the play-off places, after drawing at home to the Rams on Saturday and going down 1-0 to Preston at Carrow Road on Tuesday night.

• Hull City have lost each of their past four league games against Norwich City, conceding 11 goals in that time.

• Norwich are looking to beat Hull on successive Football League trips for the first time since December 1968.

• Hull are yet to win a home league game in 2025 (D1 L3), which is their longest winless start at home in a year since 2020 (7 games).

• Norwich are aiming to win successive away league games for the first time since January 2023 after beating Watford 1-0 at the start of the month at Vicarage Road.

• Norwich's Josh Sargent has two goals in his last four league games against Hull, netting the second goal in their 4-0 win in the reverse fixture in October.

Phil Daley
Radio Norfolk sports editor

Image source, Getty Images

On Saturday, the Canaries travel to Hull in the Championship (15:00 GMT) after disappointing performances against Derby County and Preston North End.

Ahead of the game, Canaries head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup spoke to the media and here are some of the key points from his press conference:

• Captain Kenny McLean remains a doubt after pulling out of the starting line-up on Tuesday night with an illness. He still hasn't recovered.

• Emi Marcondes, who missed the defeat to Preston, remains sidelined with hip pain.

• Marcelino Nunez will miss Hull. He had a scan on his ankle after a heavy challenge on Tuesday night. "The scan was ok and it isn't broken, but it doesn't look good," said Thorup.

• "We need to look at what we didn't get right on Tuesday night," added the head coach in referencing the defeat to Preston.

• Thorup says it's hard to form an opinion on Hull due to some great results against the likes of Leeds and Sheffield United, but also some defeats against lesser sides. "They (Hull) are front footed. We need to be calm and have good solid build-up play, our pressing game needs to be good to."

• Thorup says he's frustrated because he thinks the team are progressing quicker than he expected at the start of the season, but injuries are hampering their attempts to break into the top six.

You can listen to full live commentary of Hull V Norwich City with BBC Radio Norfolk on FM and DAB. Coverage begins at 14:00 GMT on Saturday.

Chris Goreham
BBC Radio Norfolk, Norwich City commentator

Image source, Rex Features

Successive home games against Derby County and Preston North End were supposed to be Norwich City's big opportunity to gatecrash the top six. It ended up being a typical Championship reality check.

With Josh Sargent fit and firing, Borja Sainz returning from a six-game ban, Marcelino Nunez recovered from injury and Czech winger Matej Jurasek finally cleared to make his debut, the stars appeared to be aligning for boss Johannes Hoff Thorup.

However, the resolute defences of Derby and Preston stifled the usually prolific Canaries.

Norwich are the only other team in the Championship aside from leaders Leeds United to have registered 50 league goals this season. You wouldn't have thought so on the evidence of these shot-shy displays.

A late penalty allowed Derby to clinch a point in a 1-1 draw. Preston scored early and that proved enough to take the win.

One point from a possible six marks a massive missed opportunity for City.

Thorup was philosophical in defeat on Tuesday night. It's only recently that he's openly entertained a top-six finish as being within reach in his first season in English football. He's often pointed to the steep learning curve that his squad is on.

One of his tasks was to reduce the average age of the team. The Norwich starting line-up against Preston featured just two players over the age of 24.

At their entertaining best, Norwich look capable of nicking one of the two remaining play-off spots that are realistically up for grabs. These last two matches have shown that cracking some Canary consistency remains Thorup's biggest challenge

Image source, Getty Images

Norwich City head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup explained skipper Kenny McLean's late withdrawal from his team as they lost 1-0 at home to Preston North End.

McLean was initially named in the starting XI and Carrow Road but had to be withdrawn shortly before kick-off after suffering breathing problems.

The Dane told BBC Radio Norfolk: "Kenny had to go out which is never ideal for us because he is so important, for the way we play and the group's experience. He has been ill but was OK yesterday, but felt in the warm-up he couldn't really breathe."

On his team's performance, he said: "My most important role is to make sure that they (the players) still know there is big belief in them because they are doing well. There will be ups and downs.

"We didn't really find the rhythm and flow. We know they are a physical team, and their game plan is so much about duels and tackles, and a hard fight to kill the flow in the game and we prepared for that, but it's hard.

"With some new faces in there they have to catch up with the rhythm and flow, and with Borja (Sainz) back after six games he also has to catch up."

Image source, Getty Images

As Norwich City put the finishing touches to preparations for Tuesday's Championship fixture at home to Preston, the big question for head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup is whether to hand an instant recall to forward, and top scorer, Borja Sainz.

No-one has scored more goals in the Championship than the Spaniard's 15 and the urge to bring him straight back into the side after the completion of his six-week ban for spitting must be irresistible.

Thorup described Sainz as "fit and energised" after his enforced break and will surely want to get him back in the thick of the action as the Canaries try to maintain their improving push for the play-offs.

Whether Sainz plays and who might make way for him is just one of the topics up for debate on the latest edition of The Scrimmage podcast on BBC Radio Norfolk.

Chris Reeve and Rob Butler discuss all the latest Canaries news and, along with talking to Thorup, the show also features a chat with the man who's been shouldering the burden up front in the absence of Sainz - Josh Sargent.

The USA striker, who has scored four goals in his past three games and 23 in partnership with 15-goal Sainz so far, says it will be "really good" to see Sainz back in the fold.

Former City midfielder Gabriel Sara, now at Galatasaray in Turkey, also drops in for a word.

You can listen to the latest episode of The Scrimmage here.

Rob Butler
BBC Radio Norfolk Canary Call presenter

Image source, Getty Images

Norwich City head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup said he was disappointed with Saturday's 1-1 draw against Derby County at Carrow Road.

On Tuesday, the Canaries host Preston North End in The Championship (20:00 GMT).

Thorup has been speaking to the media ahead of that game, here are some of the key points:

• Thorup said midfielder Emi Marcondes has a hip injury, so he will be out for one or two weeks.

• Midfielder Amankwah Forson is still out with a knee injury. Thorup is hopeful it will improve in "a couple of weeks time".

• On Borja Sainz's return from a six match suspension: "He is looking forward to it. We have told him not spit any more!"

• Thorup said the coaching staff have worked with Sainz on how to avoid unnecessary confrontations on the pitch: "We have spoken to him about tools to handle the situation."

• The head coach continued: "It's a completely new world for him (being the top scorer in the division). He is taking on information and really trying to deal with it."

• Thorup said Josh Sargent, Marcelino Nunez and Anis Ben Slimane will be managed carefully as they continue their return from injuries.

You can listen to full live commentary of Norwich City versus Preston North End with BBC Radio Norfolk on FM and DAB. Coverage begins at 20:00 GMT on Tuesday.

Norwich City forward Josh Sargent has joked that strike partner Borja Sainz is "getting a bit nervous" about being caught in the race to be the club's top goalscorer this season.

Sargent scored in the 1-1 draw with Derby on Saturday to take his goal tally to eight for the season - seven behind Sainz, who leads the Championship's overall golden boot race with 15.

The 24-year-old USA international has netted four goals in five games since returning to the side after missing 14 games following groin surgery.

"I think he's getting a bit nervous now... " Sargent told BBC Radio Norfolk.

"No, it's a good competition. I keep telling him every time I score, 'I'm coming for you' - but it's all good fun.

"If he's scoring or I'm scoring, it doesn't matter as long as we're winning games."

Sainz has served a six-game suspension after admitting to spitting at Sunderland's Chris Mepham in December and is eligible to return to the squad for the clash with Preston on Tuesday night.

"He's been training with us and it's always nice playing with him," Sargent added.

"We have a good relationship so it will be good to have him back for sure."

Norwich City will look to move into the Championship play-off spots when they welcome Preston North End on Tuesday night (20:00).

With both Blackburn and Middlesbrough not in action until Wednesday evening, the Canaries will climb into the top six with victory.

The Lilywhites are 15th and lost for the first time in five league games (W2 D2) in the 2-1 defeat at Blackburn last time out in the league.

• Norwich City are unbeaten across their past four league games against Preston North End (W2 D2), only once in the EFL recording a longer run against the Lilywhites – five matches between February 2002 and May 2004.

• Preston North End have lost just one of their past eight away league games against Norwich City (W2 D5), with their most recent visit to Carrow Road last season ending in a goalless draw.

• Norwich have won two of their past three home league games on Tuesdays (D1), scoring 4+ goals in each victory (4-2 vs Watford in February 2024, 6-1 vs Plymouth in November 2024).

• Preston North End have lost just three of their past 15 Championship matches (W5 D7) and although they lost last time out to Blackburn, they are yet to lose consecutively under Paul Heckingbottom.

• Brad Potts has scored three goals in his past four Championship appearances, as many as he'd scored in his previous 54 games combined. He's looking to score in three matches in a row for the first time.

Image source, Getty Images

Norwich City head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup said his side must do better after conceding a 92-minute equaliser at home against Derby County.

"We know when you are only 1-0 up it doesn't take much for the game to change. It's tough but we have to get on with it and do better next time," Thorup told BBC Radio Norfolk.

"We had control of the game but in the first half we weren't good enough. We were not dangerous enough and didn't have the collective movement we needed to open up a low defending team.

"We knew it was down to us to create the flow and we were too slow. It was much better in the second half where we were better connected and we scored the goal, but it was not enough.

"We did better in the second half but I still expect us to be better."

Rob Butler
BBC Radio Norfolk Canary Call presenter

There is renewed optimism among some Norwich fans following two wins and a couple of new signings on transfer deadline day.

On Saturday, the Canaries host Championship strugglers Derby County at Carrow Road (15:00 GMT), it's the start of run which sees five of the next seven games taking place on home soil.

Ahead of the game, head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup has been speaking to the media.

Here are some of the key points:

• On the signing of Manchester City midfielder Jacob Wright on loan: "He's the perfect fit on the way we want to go. He can control a game. He is different to the other midfield players we have."

• On defender Ruairi McConville, who signed from Brighton: "He's so interested in his own development. He's a ball playing centre-back which is important to how we play."

• Thorup said Czech Republic winger Matej Jurasek has been training with the squad and is available for Saturday's game. Jurasek is clear to play following international clearance after signing in January.

• Thorup on Jurasek's qualities: "He wants the ball, he wants to press, he wants to shoot and dribble."

• Midfield duo Anis Ben Slimane and Marcelino Nunez are both fit for the visit of Derby.

You can listen to full live commentary of Norwich City v Derby County with BBC Radio Norfolk on FM and DAB. Coverage begins at 14:00 GMT on Saturday.

Norwich City welcome Derby County on Saturday afternoon (15:00 GMT) looking to continue their push for a play-off place after winning two games on the bounce.

The Canaries are eighth, just two points behind the top six, and are trying to win three league games in a row for the first time this season.

Meanwhile, the Rams have suffered seven straight defeats - winning just two of their past 16 games (D3 L11) - and are two points adrift from safety in 22nd.

• After winning the reverse fixture 3-2, Norwich City will be looking to record a first league double over Derby County since the 2010-11 season.

• Derby County have won each of their past three away league games against Norwich City, as many as across their prior 19 visits to Carrow Road combined (D4 L12).

• Norwich have only failed to score in one of their past 27 home league games, while only Leeds United (42) have scored more home goals in the Championship than the Canaries this term (36).

• Derby have lost each of their past seven league games – the most league defeats they've ever suffered in a row is eight, doing so on three occasions, most recently between December 1987 and February 1988 in the top-flight.

• Norwich's Josh Sargent has been involved in nine goals in his past eight Championship starts (5 goals, 4 assists). He also provided two assists in the Canaries 3-2 win over Derby in the reverse fixture.

Image source, Getty Images

On Wednesday we asked what you made of Norwich City's business in the transfer window.

Norwich signed 19-year-old Manchester City midfielder Jacob Wright on loan with an option to buy, while Czech international winger Matej Jurasek, 21, was brought in on a long-term deal from Slavia Prague and Northern Ireland defender Ruairi McConville arrived from Brighton & Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee.

Lewis Dobbin was loaned from Aston Villa but Ashley Barnes, Christian Fassnacht, Kaide Gordon and Grant Hanley all left Carrow Road.

Here are some of your responses:

Sam: Appear to be some exciting additions and very much inkeeping with our new direction under Knapper/Thorup. Pleased to have lowered the average age of the squad and sent some more youngsters out for valuable EFL loan experience. Promising stuff but time will, of course, tell.

Peter: Where is the much-needed striker? It's not enough to fill the squad with midfielders. Who, apart from Sargent, is going to score the goals?

Trevor: On the face of it, looks like a good set of signings.

Joe: Excited about the signings and direction of travel. Well done NCFC!

Kevin: On the face of it, not bad, but we've been here before. I have the feeling this season is all about next season. Mainly to let players settle. As fans we have to be patient. We need to, next season, see a team and say 'yes, we can hold our own in the Premier League'.

Ron: JHT known for encouraging youth. Good as his word when he arrived, he is bringing them in. Not just for now, but in the future others will look at us and know this club is a fast route to first-team football. With our finances this is a credible route to attractive football and relevance whatever league we are in.

Stuart: I am very happy with the transfer window. We're now on our way back to the Prem.

Alex: It's a largely encouraging window with good depth added to the squad. It remains to be seen if the new players are ready to help us push for promotion now or will help us be stronger next season, as they are all largely unproven in the Championship, but there's a huge amount of potential in the squad and a real focus on youth, which is essential for a club like Norwich.

Andy: A pretty decent window. Some interesting signings and some dead wood off the books. I would say no players have gone that we wanted to keep. Also, getting Sargent back (and scoring) has been like a new signing. I would have liked to see another centre-back added to the squad, but overall a good window.

Michael: An excellent transfer window. Another striker would've been the icing on the cake but they don't come along too often. Ben Knapper is working well. Optimistic for play-offs but fearful of promotion!

Jacob: Best window we've had in a while. Able to bring in reinforcements and a defensive midfielder which we've needed since Tettey went.

Image source, Rex Features

It's time to talk about Norwich City's transfer business...

On deadline day Norwich signed 19-year-old Manchester City midfielder Jacob Wright on loan with an option to buy the England Under-20 player at the end of the season.

Czech international winger Matej Jurasek, 21, was signed on a long-term deal from Slavia Prague while Northern Ireland defender Ruairi McConville arrived from Brighton & Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee.

Lewis Dobbin was brought in on loan from Aston Villa, though Ashley Barnes, Christian Fassnacht, Kaide Gordon and Grant Hanley all left Carrow Road during the window too.

Does Johannes Hoff Thorup have a squad capable of competing for one of the two play-off places which seem up for grabs with 16 games remaining?

We want you to tell us what you think about City's transfer dealings...

Let us know your thoughts here.