Norwich City go into Saturday's Championship match at Hull City (3pm) without striker Aaron Wilbraham, who has been ruled out for the second match in a row.

Wilbraham missed the 3-1 win over Bristol City on Monday after scoring his first goal for the club in the 3-2 win at Leicester the previous week.

'It's just a back problem, but it is a blow,' said manager Paul Lambert.

Striker Chris Martin, who has missed six matches with a hamstring problem, is still not fit to return, but a fortnight's break after the Hull game should leave him closer to a comeback.

'He's doing OK. He's been out for over a month now so I hope he's not too far away from coming back,' said Lambert.

After failing in a bid to sign �3m-rated Peterborough striker Craig Mackail-Smith, the City boss insisted he would not bring in a new face before next week's loan deadline just for the sake of it.

'I can bring a name in for the sake of bringing somebody in but I'm not going to do it,' he said.

The Mackail-Smith asking price was too high for the Canaries, he said.

'The club can't afford it. That's the way it goes,' he said – and was not prepared to speculate on whether he would renew his interest in the player in the close season.

'I don't know what's going to happen in the summer. I never look that far forward,' he said.

Meanwhile, Sky Sports' reported speculation on Friday morning that some of City's Championship rivals – including leaders Queens Park Rangers – are considering a shock bid for skipper Grant Holt is believed to be wide of the mark. Struggling Middlesbrough are also named.

Holt still has a year to run on his initial deal at Carrow Road, which also includes the option of a further year.

The Canaries have repeated stated they will not consider selling any of their prize assets – a bracket that certainly includes their captain.