Norwich City vs West Bromwich(WBA) preview - Rudd set to start for City

Posted Sunday, September 11, 2011 by PA

Norwich manager Paul Lambert has "no fear" about throwing rookie keeper Declan Rudd into Barclays Premier League action against West Brom on Sunday.

The 20-year-old is set to deputise for John Ruddy, who must serve a one-match ban after his sending off at Chelsea before the international break.

Diss-born Rudd only has a handful of appearances to his name, including the 4-0 Carling Cup defeat to MK Dons, while his first job at Stamford Bridge was to pick Frank Lampard's penalty out of the net.

However, the Canaries boss has complete faith that England Under-21 squad man Rudd will be up to the challenge as the Norfolk club look for a first top-flight victory in front of the live TV cameras against the winless Baggies.

"I have got no fear about Declan playing - no fear," Lambert told a news conference.

"He has never let himself or me down, so I haven't got any problem [with him playing]."

Lambert decided against recalling Jed Steer from his loan spell at Yeovil or bringing in an experienced stopper ahead of transfer deadline, so 17-year-old Academy keeper Remi Matthews looks set for a place on the bench.

Summer signing James Vaughan could be in line for a belated debut, the striker having been hampered by a knee problem since his arrival from Everton.

Centre-half Zak Whitbread is a doubt with a hamstring problem picked up at Chelsea, but otherwise Lambert expects a clean bill of health from Norwich's returning internationals.

Roy Hodgson is refusing to press the panic button after West Brom's winless start to the campaign but admits "losing with valour doesn't get you points".

The Baggies have lost all three games to date against Manchester United, Chelsea and Stoke to late goals ahead of Sunday's clash with Norwich at Carrow Road.

Hodgson knows it is important to get off the mark sooner rather than later but has been pleased with his side's general performances.

He said: "We've got to make certain we keep ourselves on an even keel.

"We've got to make sure we don't start getting too carried away by the fact it has been a bad start in terms of the points we've got on the board.

"Losing the Stoke game like we did (a last minute goal) on the back of our other two matches, means it is a bad start to the season.

"I've not been particularly unhappy with the way the team has played but of course we've got no points to show for our efforts.

"One hopes we will continue to play in the games at the right level and that it will bring results. That's all you can hope for.

"In general, we are ready to kick on again and face up to the next batch of games we have - and hopefully start getting some points on the board."

Hodgson is not reading anything too deep into Albion surrendering late goals.

He said: "It hasn't been because we have been tiring in the latter stages of matches.

"In fact, certainly against Manchester United and Stoke, we were looking quite strong in the latter stages and conceded, if anything, against the run of play.

"The actual timing of the goals is one of those things that happen in football. There is no particular reason for it.

"Goals are scored early and late and sometimes you can make a big mistake trying to read something into it which actually isn't there."

Hodgson has been impressed by the performance of defender Craig Dawson who is in contention after scoring twice on his debut for the England Under-21s against Azerbaijan at Vicarage Road.

Dawson was on loan at Rochdale last season but has quickly made an impression with Hodgson who wants to keep him involved at West Brom rather than loan him out for a second spell.

Peter Odemwingie and fellow striker Shane Long are in contention to start together for the first time after recovering from ankle and calf injuries respectively.

end