Starting Lineups: Medic Stars, Toure Sits on the Bench
Philippe Clement has named a changed Norwich side after several internationals returned late to camp. Medic and Harry Darling pair up at centre-back, while Ruairi McConville is ruled out with a knee problem. The matchday selection saw Jose Cordoba placed on the bench following a Panama trip to South Africa.
Manager’s assessment and squad rotation
Clement stressed the need to manage players across two Easter fixtures. He noted the team must evaluate recent arrivals and their fitness levels. The coach also pointed out the impact of late-night games and long flights on recovery.
The club’s official graphic caused brief confusion with Ahmed and Schwartau listed incorrectly. In the selected XI, Medic Stars at centre-back, while Toure Sits on the Bench among the substitutes. Liam Gibbs keeps his place at right-back with Kellen Fisher on the opposite flank.
Injuries and short-term availability
Kristoffer Schwartau returns to the starting lineup after a hamstring lay-off since mid-February. Anis Ben Slimane and Ali Ahmed are named among the substitutes after involvement in a midweek friendly in Canada. Toure, Ben Chrisene and Jack Stacey also make the bench following recent layoffs.
Emi Marcondes and Jeff Schlupp are not in the matchday squad. Schlupp has resumed training after a lengthy hamstring issue. Wide player Matej Jurasek remains 2–4 weeks from fitness with a foot problem.
Long-term absentees and rehab updates
Jovon Makama and Papa Amadou Diallo are expected to miss most of the run-in with foot and quad issues. Manchester United loanee Harry Amass returned to his parent club for hamstring rehab. Clement confirmed the loan has not been terminated so Amass can return later in the season.
Gabe Forsyth continues a rehabilitation programme after a knee injury in November 2024. Mirko Topic and Ante Crnac are out for the season with ACL injuries. Lucien Mahovo and Shane Duffy remain sidelined with muscular and hamstring problems respectively.
Full team sheets
| Norwich City (Starting XI) |
|---|
| Kovacevic; Gibbs, Medic, Darling, Fisher; Mattsson, McLean (C); Schwartau, Wright, Maghoma, Kvistgaarden. |
| Norwich Substitutes |
| Grimshaw, Cordoba, Stacey, Chrisene, Field, Forson, Slimane, Ahmed, Toure. |
| Portsmouth (Starting XI) |
| Schmid; Ogilvie, Poole, Pack (C), Bishop, Le Roux, Devlin, Alli, Chaplin, Caballero, Dia. |
| Portsmouth Substitutes |
| Bursik, Williams, Shaughnessy, Swift, Segecic, Dozzell, Blair, Andersen, Brown. |
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