Norwich City vs Ipswich preview - Hooper back for flying Canaries

Posted Friday, February 27, 2015 by PA

Gary Hooper will return to the Norwich squad for Sunday's East Anglia derby with Ipswich at Carrow Road in the Sky Bet Championship.

The former Celtic striker missed the 2-1 win at Blackburn on Tuesday night - the Canaries' fifth in a row - with a viral infection.

Midfielder Alex Tettey, introduced in the second half at Ewood Park, is expected to start while Cameron Jerome staked his claim with a scoring substitute appearance.

Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe, who has not featured for the first team since October, will again be involved in the squad but Gary O'Neil (toe), Elliott Bennett and Ryan Bennett (both hamstring) remain sidelined.

Ipswich have injury fears ahead of their trip with boss Mick McCarthy looking to bolster his squad.

McCarthy had just 18 outfield first team players available for Tuesday's 4-2 home win over Birmingham, with Luke Hyam, Darren Ambrose, Stephen Hunt, Noel Hunt and David McGoldrick all injured.

Cole Skuse was taken off with a back problem and remains a doubt for the derby.

McCarthy had been linked with Leicester midfielder Anthony Knockaert but is yet to complete any deal.