Canaries' chief Peter Grant revealed his over-worked squad will down tools after Stoke's Championship visit tomorrow. Grant is poised to give City's players some 'R and R' after double shifts over the last month.

Canaries' chief Peter Grant revealed his over-worked squad will down tools after Stoke's Championship visit tomorrow.

Grant is poised to give City's players some 'R and R' after double shifts over the last month.

“The boys will get a few days off - yes, definitely,” he said. “I think it's massive for them because we've had them in every day. I actually gave them some time off after Birmingham to rest the legs. With the small numbers we've had to work with they've been coming in alongside the lads with knocks.

“I want them to get away from the place - just for the first few days after the Stoke game. The week after will be a normal one.”

Grant reported a clean bill of health after City's midweek exertions against Steve Bruce's table toppers.

“There's nothing fresh to worry about,” he said.

“Adam (Drury) took a knock to his back in the second half and I thought, 'oh no, not again'. Simon Lappin had been at his nan's funeral Tuesday morning and only got back to the changing room at 6.20pm. I was hoping he'd be available and he was, but I was worried I'd have to change the left side again. Thankfully Adam got through it.”

Luke Chadwick stepped up his injury return with a late second half cameo.

“He's had no reaction - which is pleasing,” said Grant. “You could see even in the ten minutes he was on it was a change in the work he had been doing. He's done all the running but match fitness is missing. He's still short of games, but where we find the time to do that I don't know.

“There's a couple of reserve fixtures during the holiday period so hopefully he can get a few minutes on the pitch to pick up his match fitness because his general fitness is probably as good as its been.

“You could see even in the small period he was on the intelligence he has.”

Grant's downtime will be spent with one eye on the loan market which slams shut at the end of next week.

“We'll keep assessing it because those managers know they only have a week left to get players out of clubs,” he said. “If there's anything better than what we have we'll look to do something - whether it's strengthening the team or affecting the game from the bench.”