'There will be changes, but we're in it to win it' says Lambert ahead of JPT clash

Tues 10 Nov 09

City boss Paul Lambert has insisted that while there will be changes for tonight's Johnstone's Paint Trophy area quarter-final at Swindon Town, he most certainly has Wembley in his sights.

But with injuries continuing to hamper the Scot's best-laid plans, he will be having a few headaches about tonight's County Ground line-up, especially with the 'six player' rule to consider.

Under the rules of the competition, clubs must field at least six players that have played the majority of fixtures throughout the season so far.

But with the lengthy injury list - which includes Stephen Hughes, Luke Daley, Michael Spillane, Matt Gill, Jon Otsemobor and George Francomb – and the one-match suspension for Grant Holt and Simon Lappin, Lambert has a job on his hands.

Add the fact that left-backs Adam Drury and Rhoys Wiggins are struggling with sore knees and it all adds to a familiar pre-match bulletin for the Canary chief.

"It depends on the injuries and we've got a couple of suspensions as well but there will be changes tonight, that's for sure. Whether they are forced or not, I'll have to look at it," Lambert told the club's official website.

"Rhoys has a bit of a sore knee so we'll have to see how he is. But the lads who've come in have done really well for me, so we'll have to see.

"Jon [Otsemobor] has not really trained as such. He's done some work with the physios and trained a bit with the team on Thursday.

"But then we were away on Friday so he's not really done much with us, but hopefully he has come through the last few days pretty unscathed."

Lambert did reveal, however, that a loan addition - likely to be a defender - could be on the horizon. In last Thursday's Colney press conference, the Scot said that he was waiting for the green light from another club.

And four days later, the ball still seems to be in their court...

"It's with the other club at the minute so we'll have to see where we are. If it goes through - great. But if it doesn't then we'll have to look elsewhere – we don't hold the cards when it comes to getting loan players in."   Part 2 >>