Stuart Webber's revolution has begun but Norwich City's new sporting director warns there is lots of hard work to come before the Canaries enjoy success again.

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich City Football Club's new sporting director, Stuart Webber. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYNorwich City Football Club's new sporting director, Stuart Webber. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

The 33-year-old's prolonged appointment has been resolved ahead of today's Championship clash with Reading at Carrow Road, with Alan Irvine also confirmed as interim head coach until the end of the season.

Webber will now start to implement his philosophy across the club, as he looks to recreate the magic which has taken Huddersfield Town to an unexpected push for promotion to the Premier League.

'When you've got a real clear way of playing, when you search for a new right-back or a left-back or whatever, you've got a very clear criteria,' the Welshman explained.

'So there might be certain full-backs who would be good enough for us but people say 'he's played in the Premier League' but he wouldn't suit our style and likewise some of our players wouldn't suit the style of another team.

'It doesn't mean they are bad or good players, it just means we've got a real clear way of doing it and that gives complete transparency for the players.

'So when the players go out on the pitch it's very clear to them that this is the plan, this is how we're doing it and we work on it every day, every day until we get it right and then we have to work on it until we get it better and that is what will be here.

'But what I will say is it won't be easy because there are certain players who can't adapt to that or don't want to adapt, it takes time.'

With promotion unlikely with six games to go and a permanent head coach not expected to arrive until the summer, Webber is asking fans to be patient.

'Everyone talks about Huddersfield now because they are third in the league – that's 18 months of hard work to become a success,' he continued.

'People don't see the pain of last year, going to Elland Road when we're seven points above the relegation zone and they've won four on the bounce.

'We won 4-1 and the season finished right but Huddersfield finished 19th, so unfortunately there the supporters will tell you, we went through a lot of pain to come out looking like it looks like at the end, third in the league and a brand of football which quite a lot of people are attracted to.'

City team news

Wes Hoolahan is fit to start if needed, after missing the defeats at Villa and Huddersfield. Graham Dorrans (ankle) is ruled out but fellow midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu is available after a shaking off a thigh problem. Winger Matt Jarvis is unlikely to be considered as he tries to regain full fitness. Full-backs Mitchell Dijks and Ivo Pinto return from suspension.

Reading team news

Jordan Obita is set to miss out (leg) but the Royals' defensive options are bolstered by Tiago Ilori shaking off his knee injury. Paul McShane (calf), Joey van den Berg (hamstring), Deniss Rakels (ankle), Danzell Gravenberch (ankle) and Callum Harriott (hamstring) are all out.

Manager

Jaap Stam –Former Manchester United star has made a superb start to coaching in England, teeing up a play-off place, having coached at Ajax previously.

One to Watch

Yann Kermorgant – The 35-year-old Frenchman recently announced he will retire at the end of next season but remains a talisman for the Royals, scoring four goals in his last four games to take his tally for the season to 13. Opened the scoring against City in December.

Referee

James Linington (Newport) – Has issued 129 yellow cards in 30 matches this season, an average of just over four a game, but only three red cards. Took charge of City's 2-1 loss to Huddersfield at Carrow Road in December, as well as the 2-2 draw at Fullham – where he gave City two penalties in the first half.

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