Cardiff will face Norwich City in a League Cup tie on Tuesday, with Philippe Clement revealing his plans for the squad. The Canaries are looking to bounce back from a Championship mauling at Millwall, and the match will be crucial for qualification. Clement confirmed that Ante Crnac will be available for selection after ten months out with a knee injury, marking a massive milestone for the attacker.
Crnac’s Return
Ante Crnac is set to make his comeback against the Bluebirds after a long injury lay-off. Clement said the player is “really happy” to be named in the squad and that it is “massive” for him. However, Clement cautioned that Crnac will not be at his best immediately, noting the difficulty of returning to full fitness after a prolonged absence. “We need to take that into account,” he added.
New Signing Yongwa
Darlin Yongwa, who joined Norwich earlier this season, is also slated to make his debut in the cup tie. Clement explained that Yongwa has only just begun to learn the names of his teammates, so the timing of his first appearance is important. “If I had brought him in two weeks ago he even didn’t know the names of his teammates,” he said. The manager believes Yongwa will benefit from a measured introduction to the squad.
Rotation and Squad Management
Clement stressed that the League Cup match is not a friendly but a qualifying game. “We go to Cardiff not for a friendly game to give minutes to players, it’s to qualify in the cup,” he said. He highlighted the need for rotation to keep the squad fresh for upcoming fixtures in October, November and December. The manager also mentioned that he will decide whether players such as Yongwa, Crnac and Bruno Alves start or come on as substitutes.
Injury Updates
Paris Maghoma has returned to grass training but remains unavailable due to a calf issue. Clement refrained from detailing every injury, stating that all players are on track with their recovery. Ali Ahmed, who had a knee operation, is recovering well after the first three days of post-op discomfort. Ahmed is eager to return stronger and has spoken with Crnac and Mirko Topic about the work ahead.
Looking Ahead
With the match set for Tuesday, Norwich will aim to secure a win to progress in the League Cup. Clement’s focus remains on balancing squad rotation with the imperative of qualification, while keeping an eye on player fitness and readiness.
