Jon Rowe and Danny Batth will resume team training next week, but a ‘big, big test’ against Coventry City in the Championship will come too soon for the Norwich City duo.

Canaries’ head coach David Wagner on Thursday ruled the highly-rated attacker, and experienced centre back, out of his plans for Saturday’s Sky Blues showdown at Carrow Road.

Rowe damaged his hand in the recent league defeat Leeds United and Batth was forced to depart in the early stages of the FA Cup third round replay win at Bristol Rovers.

But Wagner delivered a clean bill of health for the rest of his squad at Colney, after a rare full week to prepare following a hectic fixture schedule.

“Obviously some players were used a lot, some players a little bit less, so it was good to give them some rest and do some work on the training pitches,” he said. “From (Thursday), everything was focused on Coventry, and to get our heads around how we like to attack and defend against them.

"Apart from the two guys who can't be involved on Saturday, everyone is healthy, fit and desperate to play. And this is why we were happy to have a clean week and this week, even if it was a quite shorter one because we played Sunday against Liverpool, it was a clean week and we used the time to prepare as good as we can for Coventry.

“Danny will be back in training next week. He is working with the fitness department very well and everything is progressing like we expected. He'll be back in training at the beginning of next week. Johnny Rowe is the other one who will miss this game because of a broken hand. But it looks like he is back in training next week as well.”

Shane Duffy is available for Saturday after he missed the Liverpool FA Cup trip with what Wagner labelled a ‘minor’ back issue.

The City chief puts Coventry in the same Championship bracket as recent tussles with other promotion hopefuls.

“Yes, you can say the same category as Hull, Southampton, Leeds. I think especially the last four or five teams which we faced were all in this category,” he said. “Coventry is a top team offensively, super good, good quality individuals as well and a very good idea of playing with a lot of freedom.

"They’ve only got beaten once in the last 13, and that shows the freedom which they have at the minute and the confidence which they have. It's a big, big test. Like we had in the past we really have to be on our best, very focused very concentrated in all departments to be fair, but especially at home.

"We have a lot of confidence and belief in ourselves as well. Hopefully we can get a positive result.”