The Canaries have been hit by a fresh injury blow to midfielder Andrew Surman.

Norwich City midfielder Andrew Surman has been ruled out until at least the New Year with a knee injury.

Surman has made just two appearances for the Canaries since returning to the side following nearly three months on the sidelines because of a problem with the same knee.

He was injured in the early stages of the 4-1 derby win over Ipswich Town but lasted more than an hour before making way for Wes Hoolahan.

'He's going to be out for a little bit. It's a blow but his knee's been hurt in that challenge,' said manager Paul Lambert today.

'It's not the same problem which is good but it's the same knee.

'I think he did great to go that length of time but there was just a lot of swelling overnight.

'It's hard to put a timescale on it but it's over a month anyway.'

Surman, 24, who signed from Wolves in the summer, played just four matches for City at the start of the season before suffering an injury in training in early September.

He returned for the 1-1 draw at home to Leeds a fortnight ago, playing more than an hour, and kept his place against Ipswich.

'I think he's been playing really, really well since he came back and it's a blow for him mentally as well, just coming back and getting hurt again,' said Lambert.

'I've spoken to him and given him a few days off because if he keeps coming into the same environment and doing the same work when he's just done all that work to get back it's mentally hard.'