Martin Olsson's early injury exit at Everton was a precautionary measure ahead of a massive summer for the Norwich City left-back.

Olsson would expect to be part of Sweden's squad for the upcoming Euro 2016 finals, which appears to have put the defender on a collision course with City team-mates Robbie Brady and Wes Hoolahan ahead of a Group E meeting against the Republic of Ireland in Paris on June 13.

The 27-year-old suffered a minor groin injury that forced him to depart 10 minutes into the game.

Canaries' manager Alex Neil confirmed that both loan strikers Dieumerci Mbokani (foot) and Patrick Bamford (back) were also notable absentees, to prolong one of the common themes to Norwich's dismal end to the season.

'Martin has just strained his groin so we had to take precautions with him and that is why he came off early,' said Neil.

'Dieumerci was struggling with his ankle. Bamford was injured as well. He has a back problem and returned to Chelsea during the week and Ryan Bennett had been unwell and obviously didn't manage to last the game. With the lads already out like Jonny (Howson), Timm (Klose) and Alex (Tettey) we had quite a few missing.'

Norwich's line-up showed two changes from the side who brushed past Watford 4-2 in their Carrow Road finale on the night City's relegation was confirmed, but Neil was adamant motivation was not an issue on Merseyside.

'It shouldn't be difficult to get up for this game,' he said. 'For the 2,000 fans who travelled up the least they deserved was for the players to give them something. For me there shouldn't be any issue. If anyone wants to call themselves a professional football player the first part of that label is the essential bit, 'professional'. Regardless of what game you are playing you should be up for it 100pc.'