Town manager Joe Royle says that he will know the seriousness of Marcus Bent's hamstring injury in the next day or so. The former Blackburn man pulled up in training earlier in the week and is a doubt ahead of Sunday's derby.

Royle says: "We'll know in the next day or two whether it's just a bit tight or there's a tear."

Also on the sidelines at present are Richard Naylor and Nabil Abidallah (both with a virus) while John McGreal has a back problem.

Alun Armstrong has had an x-ray on the wrist injury he picked up last night in the reserves and the club should know the result later today.

Royle has played down newspaper speculation this morning which claimed that youngster Dean Bowditch may make his debut on Sunday: "The kid's doing very well and he scored a good goal last night, but it's a case of people putting two and two together. It's still early days."

Regarding the keeper situation, Royle looks increasingly likely to pick Andy Marshall with James Pullen's display for the reserves described as "nervy".

In addition to the various injuries, the Blues will still be without the suspended Hermann Hreidarsson and Pablo Couñago when they travel to Carrow Road.

Norwich have injury worries of their own with Phil Mulryne missing out at Gillingham last night with a back injury. His regular midfield compatriot Gary Holt was also unavailable with a problem groin.

Darel Russell and Neil Emblen are both definitely out of the derby with ankle injuries while loan striker David Healy was substituted with a hamstring problem last night.

Due to the injury problems Nigel Worthington was forced into giving Dean Sinclair a debut in midfield at Gillingham, alongside an out of position Clint Easton.

In addition to the injuries Malky Mackay and Steen Nedergaard are both suspended for the visit of Town.

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