Boss tight-lipped over selection

Last updated : 11 August 2005 By Rick Lamb
Norwich manager Nigel Worthington refused to be drawn on his selection for Saturday's crucial clash with Crystal Palace.

With most of the squad nearing full fitness, the boss chose to say little about his final decisions, insisting they would not be known until he hands in the teamsheets on Saturday afternoon.

Few could argue with the performance of Youssef Safri as a substitute on Tuesday night, when the Moroccan showed no signs of being anything less than up to match sharpness. Replacing new signing Jason Jarrett, Safri, with cries of 'shoot!' ringing in his ears following his exocet against Newcastle United last season, charged about the pitch with energy and enthusiasm.

Worthington must now decide whether to use Safri and Jarrett together, despite stating that the pair are "playing catch-up". Encouragingly for Canaries fans, this was exactly the phrase used about Jason Shackell, who went on the play 90 minutes against Crewe in place of the error-prone Gary Doherty.

While Andy Hughes has started both City's opening fixtures in a defensive midfield role, his overexuberance has seen him commit himself early on numerous occasions and leave the back four exposed. Safri's contribution, albeit brief, suggested he presents a better option for both breaking up and building play, exactly the role Worthington earmarked for him when signing him last summer. Safri struggled early in his Norwich career but seems set to play an important role this term, particularly since the departure of Damien Francis.

City will definitelty be without Ryan Jarvis as the youngster continues his recovery from a hamstring injury, while Paul McVeigh is still short of fitness following a thigh strain.