Norwich v Derby preview

Lita set for Canaries bow; Albrechtsen likely to miss out for Rams

Last updated: 3rd October 2008

Norwich v Derby preview

Lita: Poised for debut

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Norwich City welcome Derby County to Carrow Road on Saturday with both sides looking to climb up the Championship table.

The home side lie a place below Derby - who are unbeaten in their previous five games - in 19th and are looking to bounce back from their defeat at Southampton.

Canaries boss Glenn Roeder is set to hand a debut to on-loan striker Leroy Lita, who has joined the club for a month-long spell from Reading.

Lita is poised to start alongside Antoine Sibierski in attack after Roeder claimed he was the man to 'take the chances that we have been creating but not converting'.

Problem

However, Roeder has a problem in defence with Dejan Stefanovic beginning a two-match suspension after he was sent off at Southampton in midweek while Jonathan Grounds has been recalled by Middlesbrough.

On-loan Celtic defender John Kennedy remains several weeks away from a return from his ankle injury so Spurs youngster Troy Archibald-Henville could make his debut at centre-back.

Adam Drury is set to return at left-back in place of Grounds while midfielder Sammy Clingan is in line for a recall after missing five games with a shoulder injury.

Gary Doherty is not expected back from his ankle injury until November at the earliest and Roeder will have to carefully choose which of his legion of loanees to name in his squad.

Rams team news

Derby look likely to be without Martin Albrechtsen for the trip to Norwich due to hamstring and groin problems.

The former West Brom defender limped off during Tuesday's draw with Birmingham, and could be replaced by Lewin Nyatanga for the encounter.

Scottish international Kris Commons is set to miss out as he continues to battle a hamstring injury, while fellow midfielder Stephen Pearson is doubtful with a knee problem.

Steve Davies replaced Pearson against Birmingham, and will hope to keep his place after he grabbed a valuable late equaliser for the Rams.

Manager Paul Jewell has no other injury concerns, but could be tempted to make changes in attack with Nathan Ellington pushing for a starting role.