SAFC Under-21s will look to regain momentum in Premier League 2 this Friday, as Norwich City come to the Academy of Light (KO 1pm).
The young Lads hit five second-half goals against Middlesbrough on Monday, but somehow emerged with nothing to show for it with a 7-5 defeat at Eppleton.
Graeme Murty, John Hewitson and the U21s take to the pitch on AoL turf for the first time in over two months, as the Canaries make the long journey from East Anglia.
Rotations are likely to again be made to the starting XI for the contest, with Caden Kelly and Tom Scott pushing for potential recalls. Cameron Jessup and Harry Gardiner are doubtful as they are monitored for knocks, which saw them both withdrawn as a precaution in games against Wolves and Middlesbrough respectively. Ethan Kachosa is out for the second game of a two-match suspension, after his second red card of the season for two bookable offences picked up against Wolves.
Zak Johnson could be in contention to feature as he returns from injury, whilst Max Thompson could make a comeback after an ankle issue. With no U18 action this weekend, players such as Ben Middlemas, Ethan Moore and Oli Bainbridge may be involved – dependent on first-team needs against Swansea City on Saturday.
Norwich currently sit third in the PL2 Division 2 table, 11 points and six places above Sunderland after 11 games apiece. Friday’s visitors are six points adrift of leaders Leeds United in the hunt for automatic promotion to Division 1.
The reverse fixture between the two sides came on the opening day of the season on August 5 – and with most of the U21 squad still on tour in Canada, a team led by Alex Ackerley was fielded with an average age of 17 which led 2-0 at the Lotus Training Centre until the latter stages, as Caden Kelly and Joe Ryder were on the scoresheet. Norwich would go on to win 3-2, on a day when Chris Rigg became our youngest player at PL2 level, just 15 years and 48 days of age.
Whilst there will be no live streaming of the contest, social media coverage will be available via our dedicated Academy Twitter page, @AcademyOfLight.