Skipper's Athletic return not guaranteed

CHRIS LAKEY

Canaries skipper Jason Shackell looks certain to be available for the trip to Charlton - but is not guaranteed an instant recall to Peter Grant's starting line-up.

Shackell has missed two games after suffering ankle ligament damage in the Carling Cup tie at Rochdale three weeks ago, but is back in training and feeling no adverse effects.

But the City boss has to decide whether to break up a winning partnership after warhorse Dion Dublin came in alongside Gary Doherty on Saturday and helped inspire City to a 1-0 home win over Crystal Palace.

“As I have said before, if you are out through injury or illness or loss of form it is up to the guy to come in and keep you out of the team when you are back fully fit,” said Grant.

“We are trying to achieve competition throughout and if I can get that I will be absolutely delighted and if I can leave the likes of somebody like Jason Shackell out of the side that means we are progressing.”

Grant reported a rare clean bill of health after the weekend win, leaving just Mark Fotheringham and Jimmy Smith on the long-term injured list, but with six games in a three-week spell, he may decide it's time to tinker with his line-up.

“You have your usual bumps, kicks and knocks, but nothing that is going to take anybody out of the game, so everybody will be available that played at the weekend, which is very unlike us,” he said.

“I will change the team sometimes. If you leave changes until you lose some people say that is too late.

“They say you never change a winning side - that is not necessarily the case.

“There are certain things and certain aspects of the game where you have got to change.

“Certain people can't play two games on the bounce - I am not pointing at Dion, that is a fact, the energies you have to put in certain games in certain positions you have to do that.

“I will look at what I think is going to be the best team.”