Oscar Schwartau will be back in the Norwich City squad for Tuesday's Championship trip to Derby County. Manager Philippe Clement confirmed the midfielder's return to fitness ahead of a game that offers the Canaries a chance to win three in a row for the first time this season.
"Oscar will be back," Clement said. "He's training now and will be back in the selection." The availability of Kenny McLean and Pelle Mattsson remains less certain, with a final decision expected closer to kick-off. Ahmed, P. A. Diallo, G. Forsyth, and M. Toure.
Schwartau's return comes as Norwich, 15th in the table with 15 points from a record of five wins and eight losses, look to build on consecutive 3-2 and 3-1 victories over Watford and Charlton. Those wins, which saw goals from Benjamin Chrisene, Anthony Musaba, Paris Maghoma, and Mathias Kvistgaarden, snapped a three-game losing streak and have lifted spirits ahead of a visit to Pride Park. The team's recent form over the last five games is two wins and three losses. Derby, sitting 23rd, are one of only two Championship sides yet to win at home this term.
The Canaries have scored 23 goals this season while conceding 24, leaving them with a minus one goal difference. They currently sit 13 points behind the league leaders, Middlesbrough. Their next fixture is away to Derby on Tuesday, 3 November.
Recent history between the sides is evenly matched. Norwich have won three of the last five league meetings, though Derby took the points in this exact fixture last season with a 1-0 win. The Canaries' away form has been wildly inconsistent, with none of their last 17 league games on the road ending in a draw. They won eight of the first ten in that run but have lost five of the last seven.
Goals have been a feature of Norwich's recent travels, with 18 scored in their last four away league games at an average of 4.5 per match. Mathias Kvistgaarden, who provided assists in the last two wins, will be a key creative outlet again. The team will be without their top scorer this season, M. Touré, who has five goals in seven appearances, as he is among those currently sidelined. The next fixture on the fixtures list is this trip to Derby on Tuesday, 3 November.
Norwich City secured a resounding 4-0 victory at Pride Park on Tuesday. Anthony Musaba, Paris Maghoma, Darlin Yongwa and J. Makama scored the goals. The win, their third in a row, moves the Canaries to 15th in the Championship. Manager Philippe Clement confirmed Oscar Schwartau was on the bench, as per the team sheet. Derby County boss John Eustace made four changes, including a debut for academy product Isaac Gordon. Norwich now look ahead to Saturday's trip to Bristol City.
