Premier League preview: Norwich v Wolves

22 March 2012 21:51

Norwich City have an opportunity to further undermine Wolverhampton Wanderers' top-flight status when the sides meet on Saturday.

Ailing Wolves slumped to the bottom of the English Premier League table on Sunday, courtesy of a 5-0 thrashing at home to reigning champions Manchester United.

It was not Wolves' only humiliation of recent months.

The team went down 5-1 at home to local rivals West Bromwich Albion last month, a defeat which cost Mick McCarthy his job as manager.

Several high-profile candidates were either overlooked or rejected the chance to replace McCarthy, forcing the club's hierarchy to promote Terry Connor from his role as assistant.

Connor managed a 2-2 draw at Newcastle in his first match in charge, but Wolves have since suffered three consecutive defeats, going down 5-0 at Fulham and losing 2-0 in a crucial showdown at home to fellow relegation candidates Blackburn Rovers.

The latest reverse against United had a grim air of inevitability about it, with a demoralised Wolves defence totally ill-equipped to keep out the visitors.

While Wolves' next opponents lack the pedigree of Sir Alex Ferguson's heavyweights, they are nonetheless expected to trouble the competition's bottom side.

Coached by former Scotland international Paul Lambert, Norwich have impressed since gaining promotion from the Championship last season.

They suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat away to European hopefuls Newcastle United last Sunday, and sit 13th on the table, 14 points clear of the relegation zone.

Although their league position remains healthy, Norwich are without a win from their last five matches in all competitions.

They drew 1-1 at home to Wigan Athletic earlier this month, but have also lost to Stoke City and Manchester United in the league, while going down to Leicester City in the FA Cup.

Lambert's well-drilled side are due a win, and there will surely be no better opportunity to register it than at home to Wolves.

Norwich have no new injury worries to contend with, and they can soon expect the return to fitness of reserve goalkeeper Declan Rudd, fringe defender Daniel Ayala and striker James Vaughan.

Wolves defender Ronald Zubar is suspended after being set off in the defeat to United.

A groin injury will keep midfielder Jamie O'Hara out until late April, while Emmanuel Frimpong, a loan signing from Arsenal, will not play again this season.

Former captain Karl Henry could return from a hamstring injury, while his fellow midfielder Nenad Milijas remains doubtful with a calf problem.