Norwich City travel to Stoke City in urgent need of a turnaround following their disappointing 3-2 defeat to newly promoted Wrexham last weekend. The loss at Carrow Road has raised significant concerns about Liam Manning's squad, which faces mounting pressure to bounce back and improve their Championship fortunes.
The situation has worsened for Norwich with the announcement that winger Papa Amadou Diallo will miss the entirety of 2025 due to a quad injury sustained during the Wrexham match. This setback is particularly challenging, especially with captain Kenny McLean's availability in doubt after he missed the Wrexham game due to a longstanding back issue. McLean's return would be invaluable, as his experience is crucial for maintaining control in midfield.
Compounding their injury woes, Jeffery Schlupp is sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained during the September international break. However, there is a glimmer of hope as Lucien Mahovo may be set for a return to the squad. Additionally, Amankwah Forson is out with a hamstring problem, while Gabe Forsyth recently underwent surgery for a knee injury that has kept him out since last November. Shane Duffy is also nursing a calf issue, and Elliot Myles remains unavailable.
In contrast, Stoke City have made an impressive start to their season, winning four of their first six matches under manager Mark Robins, a former Norwich player. Their defensive record has been particularly noteworthy, with Stoke conceding fewer goals than any other team in the Championship thus far. Remarkably, they have not allowed more than one goal in any match this season.
However, the Potters are looking to recover from a recent 1-0 defeat to QPR, which marked their second loss in three matches. Robins will be encouraged by the fitness of midfielder Ben Pearson, who was substituted during the QPR match, and the return to training of Sam Gallagher. Veteran midfielder Steven Nzonzi is also working towards regaining full match fitness.
Historically, Norwich have fared well at the Bet365 Stadium, having not lost there since 2016 and winning two of their last five visits.
As Norwich prepare for their clash with Stoke, the stakes are undeniably high. Follow Connor Southwell for live updates from the Bet365 Stadium as Norwich City aims to rise to the occasion.