Breaking: Two injury boosts for Norwich City ahead of Leeds United’s play-off semifinal

Christian Fassnacht and Jonathan Rowe should be fit for Norwich City’s Championship play-off semifinal matchup against Leeds United, according to manager David Wagner.

Sunday lunchtime sees the Whites visit Carrow Road with the hopes of repeating their two league victories over the Canaries this year. Daniel James and Patrick Bamford are also anticipated by Daniel Farke for the match in East Anglia.

During Leeds’ final day loss to Southampton at Elland Road, both of their strikers were absent. Additionally anticipated to be fit is Crysencio Summerville, who was hurt by a late tackle against the Saints.

Wagner’s report on Rowe and Fassnacht’s fitness gives the hosts a boost offensively this coming weekend. The Swiss international was not risked ahead of the play-offs, thus he was not present for their last-day trip to relegated Birmingham City.

The 21-year-old Rowe suffered a hamstring injury against Queens Park Rangers at the conclusion of the season, missing 11 games. The England U21 international scored 12 goals this season, but as he continues to improve his fitness, he was only able to play as a substitute in the final four games.

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Wagner acknowledged that he gave in to the urge not to start Rowe on their trip to St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park last Saturday, instead bringing him on for the last 30 minutes of their loss to the Blues. His justification, meanwhile, was based on the teenage winger’s fitness ahead of their match against Leeds and their “limited” attacking alternatives.

Regarding Rowe’s fitness, Wagner stated, “It was obvious that he would only have been able to play 45 minutes maximum.” If I had started him, I would have had less offensive options since I would have taken him off after 45 minutes.

“As a manager, you have to be ready for anything, so if I had started him, my options for offensive plays would have been restricted. There was no other explanation. There was only one way to give Jonny some more minutes without giving him the start in the given situation, even if things may have turned out differently if Fasi had been fit.”

Norwich is hoping that Fassnacht will overcome his fitness issue and be ready to play on matchday for the first leg on Sunday. This season, the 30-year-old has participated in 40 games in the Championship, scoring six goals, and is regarded as a vital member of Wagner’s team.

“I thought that everyone’s health was the most crucial factor. Fasi suffered a little groin strain during training yesterday [Friday],” Wagner remarked following Saturday’s loss to Birmingham.

Although it doesn’t appear serious, we didn’t want to take any chances. He should return to training by the middle or end of the following week. We had to be as competitive as we could while managing our team for this game. Everyone, in our opinion, was able to have some gaming time.

“Even if the performance or result weren’t great, there are lots of things that I can out of this game moving forwards into the play-offs.”

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