Southampton v Norwich preview

Murty could figure as Otsemobor hits Canaries century

Last updated: 20th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Southampton v Norwich preview

Murty: Could be on bench

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Southampton could include Graeme Murty on the bench as Jon Otsemobor prepares to reach a Norwich City milestone.

Full-back Murty, who turned 35 last week, got a 60-minute run-out for the reserves on Monday night after almost three months out with a knee ligament injury.

Saints will be wary of rushing Murty back too soon but he could make the bench against the Canaries.

Fellow defender Lee Molyneux is also fit after a back injury so boss Alan Pardew has a full-strength squad to choose from.

Midfielder Dean Hammond is expected to take the captain's armband from goalkeeper Kelvin Davis for the first time as Pardew wants an outfield player to lead the side.

Davis will continue in his role as club captain.

Norwich news

Otsemobor is in line to make his 100th appearance for Norwich against Southampton at St Mary's.

The 26-year-old defender, who joined on a three-year contract from Crewe in the summer of 2007, returned from hamstring trouble to play the full 90 minutes in last Saturday's 2-0 home win over Tranmere.

Manager Paul Lambert is set to name an unchanged line-up with Michael Spillane, George Francomb, Owain Tudur Jones, Matthew Gill and Luke Daley still sidelined.

Goalkeeper Fraser Forster is expected to retain his place in goal having had his loan spell from Newcastle extended until the end of the season.

Michael Theoklitos should continue on the bench with 18-year-old Declan Rudd still troubled by a knee injury sustained in training.

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