Norwich City’s hopes for a much-needed victory face a significant hurdle as they prepare to take on Swansea City this Saturday. The Canaries are currently mired in a troubling four-match losing streak, with their latest defeat coming against Derby County on Tuesday night. Pressure is mounting on head coach Liam Manning, who has managed just two victories in his first eleven games in charge, and the news surrounding forward Ante Crnac further complicates the club's situation.
Crnac, who was eager to make an impact following his introduction against Derby, was forced to leave the pitch just 28 minutes after coming on. Initial concerns were confirmed when Manning revealed that the Croatian forward has suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), effectively sidelining him for the remainder of the season.
“It’s not good news,” Manning lamented. “He’s ruptured his ACL and will be out for the rest of the season. He’ll need surgery. It’s hugely disappointing for him and for us. You could see walking off the pitch, he was devastated. He’s had some people around him picking him up the last few days.”
This injury represents a considerable setback for both Crnac and the club. At just 21 years old, he had been adapting to various roles under Manning’s guidance, initially starting the season as an attacking midfielder before transitioning to the wing in recent fixtures. His versatility had provided Norwich with valuable options in their attacking formation; however, Manning now faces the challenge of navigating the rest of the season without him.
In Crnac’s absence, Manning is likely to rely on players such as Jovon Makama, Oscar Schwartau, and Liam Gibbs, who lined up behind star striker Josh Sargent in their previous match. Emiliano Marcondes, Matej Jurasek, and Tony Springett are also available as substitutes. Meanwhile, Pape Amadou Diallo remains out due to a long-term injury, although the return of Mathias Kvistgaarden to contention offers some hope.
As Crnac embarks on his road to recovery, the club’s medical and coaching staff are committed to providing him with the necessary support. The rehabilitation process is expected to be extensive, with no specific return date indicated at this time. Given the serious nature of ACL injuries, supporters may have to wait until the beginning of the 2026/27 season to see Crnac back on the pitch.
With Swansea also struggling for form, this weekend's encounter presents a vital opportunity for Norwich City to halt their downward trajectory. However, Crnac's absence leaves Manning grappling with more questions than answers as he strives to establish a coherent attacking strategy moving forward.