Norwich City midfielder Andrew Surman will be aiming to take a big step on the road to a first team comeback tonight when he lines up in the semi-finals of the Norfolk Senior Cup.

Surman is one a number of professionals pencilled in for a run-out at Carrow Road this evening (7.30pm) as the Canaries play host to Ridgeons League Premier Division title-chasers Dereham Town.

As has been the case in previous rounds, City will be represented by a mixture of first team squad members and Under-18 scholars, with the likes of Stephen Hughes, Korey Smith and Anthony McNamee also due to start.

All three have their own reasons for wanting to make an impact tonight – but it is Surman's inclusion in a 16-man squad that really catches the eye. The big money summer signing from Wolverhampton Wanderers has been plagued by injury problems since arriving at Carrow Road, playing just six matches.

Four of those appearances came at the start of the season, with a further two following in November after a three month absence with a knee injury. His problems resurfaced after a promising display in the memorable 4-1 victory over Ipswich on November 28 . But the injury now appears to be behind him and if he can come through tonight's cup tie unscathed it shouldn't be long before manager Paul Lambert considers him for a return to first team duty.

Hughes is another who is short of competitive games, having made just two substitute appearances this season because of an ankle injury. The Scottish international scored the winner against Norwich United in the previous round and will be aiming for another successful run-out tonight.

Fellow midfielder Smith will also welcome a full game after being an unused substitute in each of City's previous four games while McNamee will want to remind Lambert of his talents after being very much a bit-part player in recent months.

New-boy Marc Tierney and fellow defenders George Francomb and Sam Habergham are the other professionals involved, with eight Academy youngsters completing the line-up. They include goalkeeper Remi Matthews, who has been called up with Declan Rudd injured and Jed Steer on England Under-19 duty.

Admission tonight is �4 for adults and �2 for over-60s and under-16s.

• City (from): Matthews, Jones, Francomb, Habergham, Tierney, Smith, Hughes, Surman, McNamee, Werndley, Dawkin, Ball, Brindley, Oakley, Gordon, Dobbs.