- Liam Gibbs started at left-back in Norwich’s win against Bristol City.
- Jeffrey Schlupp has not played for the Canaries since Clement’s arrival.
- Schlupp could make his return from injury to face Derby County.
Norwich City head coach Philippe Clement has not been blessed with luck in the left-back department since he took on the job at Carrow Road.
Lucien Mahovo has made four appearances for the Belgian boss and Harry Amass made one substitute appearance before his season was ended through injury.
Last week, Clement revealed that Ben Chrisene is expected to require surgery on a shoulder injury and will miss the rest of the season.
Clement on Jeffrey Schlupp’s availability…
The Norwich boss has been boosted by the return of Jeffrey Schlupp, though, who could feature against Derby County at Carrow Road on Tuesday night.
Speaking to the Pink Un at his pre-match press conference, Clement said: “No issue. But he (Schlupp) comes from a long time out. I think 20/30 minutes max, but he’s in my thoughts.”
The veteran defender did not make the bench against Bristol City on Saturday, but the manager’s comments suggest that he may get a run-out off the bench against the Rams.
Schlupp’s last appearance for Norwich came in a 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday in October in Liam Manning’s penultimate game in charge.
The 33-year-old, whose contract expires this summer, came off with a hamstring injury in the 87th minute of the match.
Who starts at left-back for Norwich against Derby
Kellen Fisher has often been favoured to play at left-back during the injury crisis in that position, but Clement opted to play him at right-back and Liam Gibbs on the left against Bristol City.
It was a decision that worked out perfectly, as if often the case for the former Rangers gaffer, as Gibbs turned in an impressive performance in an unfamiliar role.
The versatile star, who Read Norwich handed a 6.5/10 player rating, created four chances for his teammates with some excellent crosses into the box.
He also inverted into a midfield position at times, allowing Ali Ahmed to maintain the width on the left, and remained composed in possession, completing 83% of his attempted passes.
It is not a perfect solution for Norwich, because they still lack a naturally left-footed player in that role, but Gibbs showed that he can be relied upon at left-back.
That is why Clement should stick with the 23-year-old at left-back for this clash with Derby, before bringing Schlupp on for the last 20 or 30 minutes to have a natural in that position.
It now remains to be seen whether or not the former Crystal Palace star can do enough in the final three matches to earn a contract extension at Carrow Road.
His deal is up in the summer and the club could decide to move on from Schlupp to make room for a different left-back to come in during the transfer window.
