Norwich V Luton at Carrow Road : Match Preview

Norwich V Luton - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Hughton set to rotate squad

Norwich manager Chris Hughton will again rotate his squad for the FA Cup fourth-round tie with Blue Square Bet Premier side Luton at Carrow Road.

Declan Rudd will come into goal, while the likes of fit-again midfielder Andrew Surman, playmaker David Fox and winger Elliott Bennett are likely to get a chance to impress.

Full-back Steven Whittaker (hip) has resumed full training this week, so could come back into contention, but centre-half Sebastien Bassong (calf) may be rested again while striker Steve Morison (thigh) and England goalkeeper John Ruddy (thigh) remain sidelined.

Hughton always felt Luton boss Paul Buckle had the makings of a first-class coach, but is determined not to be a big-name scalp.

Buckle played alongside Hughton at Brentford when the former Republic of Ireland defender was coming towards the end of his career.

"We played together and I followed his career, we have met quite often along the way and kept in contact," Hughton said.

"Paul was always very enthusiastic and knowledgeable, so it is no surprise to see his path go into manager, so aside from Saturday of course, I wish him all the best."

The Norwich manager will not be taking the Hatters challenge lightly.

"Although Luton are a conference team, they are a big name and a team with a very good history, they still get a very good support and at their level have very good players," he said.

"We are very conscious of what can happen, but it was the same when we played Peterborough in the last round.

"This is what cup football is all about and we have to be very guarded."

Luton's Mark Tyler's football career will have come full circle when he takes part in the clash.

Norwich-born Tyler began his career with his hometown club as a schoolboy in the late 1980s but the goalkeeper was released by the Canaries at the age of 15.

In 2009 he moved on to Luton, and the fourth-round tie will be the first time he has actually played at Carrow Road. The 35-year-old is looking forward to the occasion.

"It will be special," Tyler told Press Association Sport. "Really, it's going back to where it all began when I was nine.

"My mum and dad used to take me up to Norwich and I would stand behind the goal on a milk crate and watch Bryan Gunn. It was brilliant.

"We used to go to every home game, and then when I started playing football I got spotted and it all started from there.

"I would have loved it to work out at Norwich but it wasn't to be.

"But it will be a great day for me and my whole family.

"My younger brother has played at Carrow Road for the school and my older brother, I think, for Cambridge. I've been a substitute there when I went on loan to Hull, so I'm the only one who hasn't played on the pitch.

"Maybe it's fate or something, because the draw was quite scary. After Dorchester, I thought it would be nice to play Peterborough. But they drew Norwich, so then after Norwich got through and we beat Wolves I thought it would be nice to get them.

"I had literally just turned over the television and Norwich came out. Then, all of a sudden, it was us and I was jumping up and down in the living room."

Midfielder JJ O'Donnell will return to the Luton squad following a broken nose, while striker Jon Shaw is also expected to be fit after a foot injury.

The only players who are expected to be unavailable to Buckle are defender Simon Ainge and winger Scott Neilson - both are cup-tied.

Source : http://www.football.co.uk/norwich_city/norwich_v_luton_at_carrow_road___match_preview_rss3677718.shtml