Thorup Confirms the Worst! Slimane’s Injury Blow Leaves Norwich Fighting for Midfield Options
Norwich City boss Johannes Hoff Thorup has confirmed that midfielder Anis Ben Slimane will face an extended spell on the sidelines after suffering an ankle ligament injury. The Tunisia international, currently on loan from Sheffield United, sustained the injury during Norwich’s 1-0 victory over Luton Town on New Year’s Day.
The incident occurred when Slimane clashed with Carlton Morris during a defensive corner, leaving him clutching his ankle in obvious discomfort. He had to be helped off the pitch and was later seen wearing a protective boot, raising immediate concerns about the severity of the issue.
Thorup Provides Grim Update
Speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of Norwich’s clash with Coventry City, Thorup delivered a sobering update on Slimane’s condition.
“It’s an ankle ligament injury, so he’ll be out for somewhere between four to six weeks,” Thorup revealed. “If things progress well, he could return in four weeks, but if not, it might take six weeks. Unfortunately, it feels like we’re never able to have all our midfielders available at the same time. The timing is tough, especially during a congested fixture period.”
The injury blow comes at a particularly challenging time for Norwich, with several other midfielders also unavailable. Thorup highlighted the squad’s thinning options, mentioning Gabriel Forsyth, Liam Gibbs, and Jacob Sorensen as other players sidelined due to injuries.
More Injury Woes for Norwich
Jacob Sorensen, who had been nearing a return from a previous issue, has now been ruled out for an additional two weeks due to a minor calf problem. Thorup elaborated on Sorensen’s condition, saying, “He was making progress and even started some light running, but he felt pain in his calf. It’s not a major injury, but it’s enough to keep him out for a couple of weeks.”
Midfield Trio to Carry the Load
With so many players out of contention, Thorup will have to rely heavily on Kenny McLean, Emi Marcondes, and Marcelino Nunez to fill the midfield void. These three will shoulder the burden during a demanding period of games, with their ability to maintain high-energy pressing and cover large areas of the pitch being crucial.
“It’s not an ideal situation,” Thorup admitted. “Midfield is one of the most demanding positions in our system, especially with the amount of running and pressing we require. We’re now down to just three fit players for those roles, so we need to be smart about managing their workload.”
Adjustments to the Game Plan
Thorup emphasized the need for Norwich to adapt their style of play to mitigate the impact of their limited squad depth. “We need to find ways to rest on the ball more, maybe slowing the game down at times,” he explained. “If we can maintain possession better, it will allow us to conserve energy and dictate the tempo, which is something we’ll work on.”
Despite the setbacks, Thorup remains optimistic about the team’s ability to navigate this challenging period. He acknowledged the resilience of his players and their willingness to adapt to the circumstances, adding, “These situations test the character of the squad, and I trust the players to rise to the challenge.”
A Tough Road Ahead
Norwich City will undoubtedly miss Slimane’s dynamism and creativity in the coming weeks, but the focus will now shift to ensuring the remaining players can step up. With games coming thick and fast, the Canaries face a tough test as they aim to maintain their momentum and stay competitive in the Championship.
