Final Press news in before Christmas....

Philippe Clement will join us to preview Norwich City's Boxing Day clash against Charlton Athletic at 1.30pm this afternoon.
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Forson. Small hamstring problem. We need to assess it more. Not a long term thing. We will take a view whether he is involved or not. But a big doubt.

Duffy. That is more severe. Will be out for a while. Doesn't need surgery.

Sargent. Back in training. Available for these games.

Mahovo. Training with the squad now. So he is available as well.

Q: How big a challenge is 4 games in 10 days from a squad balancing side?

🗣️ It is a difficult challenge. We are not there with the squad where we can divide the mins. A lot of work with the fitness staff here.

Kvistgaarden. He trained today. But we are assessing day by day. Let's focus on that. But I am happy what I saw from him in training today.

Everybody needs to push now to be in the team. I think we are in a better place than when I first came in. But with this period if we are doing well you feel you don't want to change too much. But equally we have to manage fitness element of this schedule.

Q: Have you had a chance to look back at the errors for the Preston equaliser?

🗣️ A lot of the boys could have done better in those actions. I think Pelle tried to push a player inside but maybe his team mates were not on the same wavelength. But they are very honest and they accept we can do better in that type of situation.

Q: Assess Kovacevic up and down displays?

🗣️ He also had really good moments at Preston when he helped the team to come for high balls against strong attackers. That helps the team to avoid too many heading duels, where they are really strong.
The goal. I think if you have never been a goalkeeper you have the idea it is savable but he had to change direction, change his balance twice and you have to take into account the trajectory of the ball downwards.
But of course as coaches we are trying to make every player better. That is the job of the GK coach. But this is the life of GK. I was a CB. If you make an error, it is clear. Less so when you are an attacking player.
But that pen save against Southampton was top quality. I believe he can become a really top GK.

Q: How impressed are you with Jovon Makama's goal output?

🗣️ I said a few weeks ago, I see someone with a lot of potential but he needs to learn a lot of details. The same for many others in this squad. If everybody was at the end of their learning curve it is more difficult to add things to a squad.
But he had a week where he got his rewards. Ryan (Garry) spoke to him about how Romelu Lukaku used his body to turn defenders around and score goals. Then after this meeting he puts it directly into a game and it pays off. Satisfying for Jovon. Satisfying for Ryan.

Q: You must be proud of Tony Springett on a human level for the journey he has been on?

🗣️ I like his energy. When he came on he made the differene in the 1-v-1s. He gives his life every day in training. He wants to become better. I need more and more of those in the team and players who can play different positions.
We know LB is not his normal position. But now he can play in a position he is more used to.

Q:Do you enjoy the festive congested challenge

🗣️ I love football. So yes. Of course I am a family man but there will not be any days off. Same for the players. Journalists can choose when they come. That is why we are here today. Not on the 25th. 🫨
Our fans can make the difference in this period. I hope they have a lot of parties but they come to the games with a lot of energy. It does make the difference for the boys

Q: Thoughts on Charlton?

🗣️ Difficult game. Physical game. I like this tradition when you speak to the opposing manager(s) after a game. So I get to hear about the league and they say all the same things. Every game is a battle.
We know where we are in the rankings. We need to go to a higher position. But let's focus on the performance and go game-by-game.
We know we can't do the same things every game. The opponent also studies us. But what doesn't change is where we can find space, where we can create chances and stop them creating chances.
But the Preston plan was very different to the Southampton plan.

Q: What is the Xmas Day look like for the squad. Given some of the players come from overseas and might not have family here?

🗣️ We will train. We will have lunch together at the training ground. Then they can take some food home also.

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That's all from Philippe Clement's Presser today, have a wondeful Christmas all.

Posted By: DrDublin on December 23rd 2025 at 13:54:30

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