Canaries Will Have To Do Without Crooked Notman

Last updated : 17 September 2002 By Rob Cooper
Notman and Holland Do Battle
Ipswich Town's Matt Holland (left) and Norwich's Alex Notman grapple during Sunday's derby game
Former Manchester United trainee Alex Notman will be missing from Norwich's line-up against Reading tomorrow night after hearing that he will be out for two to three weeks with an ankle injury.

The skillful yet injury-prone Northern Ireland international suffered the blow to his ankle when blocking a free-kick from Ipswich Town's Mark Venus during Sunday's Norfolk Derby.

"Unfortunately Alex has turned his ankle when the ball hit him as he attempted to block a free-kick. It bent his foot the wrong way and we're looking at him needing two to three weeks to recover," explained Canaries boss Nigel Worthington, speaking to the Canaries official site.

Meanwhile, Reading may have to do without former Notts County man Andy Hughes. The attacking-midfielder came off at half time against Wimbledon on Saturday with a bang to his knee.

He is rated as extremely doubtful for tomorrow's game, Alan Pardew is likely to replace him with either James Harper or Phil Parkinson.

However, striker Darius Henderson is almost ready for a return to action following the ankle injury he sustained in a reserve team game last month. A return tomorrow night looks unlikely, but he could be in line for a place on the bench on Saturday.

Assistant boss Kevin Dillon told readingfc.co.uk: "Darius is back in training.

"He is one of those players who needs game under his belt. You never know, with his ability we might stick him on the bench."