Norwich City boss David Wagner expects to have both Jonathan Rowe and Christian Fassnacht fit for their Championship play-off semi-final against Leeds United.
The Whites travel to Carrow Road on Sunday lunchtime hopeful of replicating their two league successes over the Canaries this season. Daniel Farke is also expecting to have both Patrick Bamford and Daniel James for the fixture in East Anglia.
Both the Leeds attackers missed their final day defeat to Southampton at Elland Road. Crysencio Summerville is also expected to be fit after being the victim of a late tackle against the Saints.
Wagner’s update on the fitness of Fassnacht and Rowe offers an attacking boost for the hosts this weekend. The Swiss international was absent for their final day trip to relegated Birmingham City, not being risked ahead of the play-offs.
21-year-old, Rowe, missed 11 games towards the end of the campaign with a hamstring injury picked up against Queens Park Rangers. The England U21 international 12 goals this season and was limited to substitute appearances for the final four games as he continues to build up his fitness.
Wagner admitted he resisted the temptation to start Rowe for their trip to St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park last Saturday, introducing him for the final half an hour for their defeat to Blues. However, his reasoning was down to ‘limited’ forward options and the young winger’s fitness ahead of their tie with Leeds.
“It was clear that he would only have been able to play 45 minutes maximum,” Wagner said on Rowe’s fitness. “I was limited on offensive options if I started him because I knew that I would have taken him off after 45 minutes.
“You always have to prepare for every scenario as a manager, so I would have been limited on offensive options if I started him. This was the only reason. If Fasi was fit, maybe it would be different, but under the circumstances, there was only one solution to give Jonny some further minutes but not a start.”
Norwich are hopeful that Fassnacht will shake off his fitness concern to return in time to be included in their matchday squad for Sunday’s first leg. The 30-year-old has played 40 games in the Championship this season, scoring six times and is seen as an important part of Wagner’s squad.
