Norwich City will make a late decision on the fitness of midfielder Anis Ben Slimane ahead of tomorrow's Carrow Road clash with Watford. 

The on-loan Sheffield United midfielder missed City's defeat to Swansea with a hamstring-related issue. 

His absence came as a major blow after an impactful debut for the Canaries in their victory over Coventry. Slimane hasn't trained as much as hoped in the build-up to City's clash against Watford as Thorup weighs up his involvement ahead of an increased Championship schedule.

"We hoped to have him back on the pitch on Monday when we started, but that wasn't the case," Thorup said. "It will be a late decision for us on whether he will be involved tomorrow.

"He's been a little bit on the grass and outside a little bit, but it's also a case of us looking at the schedule and deciding what is the best decision for us to take because tomorrow is important, but we are also stepping into a week after the Derby game with three games in seven days. 

"We also have to have that in mind." 

Thorup also offered an update on the progress of those also sidelined as well as clarifying Tony Springett's situation. The youngster has been out since the early stages of pre-season. 

Tony Springett is set for a long injury-lay off.Tony Springett is set for a long injury-lay off. (Image: Martyn Haworth/Focus Images Ltd) "It is the same. Still a couple of weeks with these guys. Lungi looks the most likely to be first back. Barnesy is still going to be out for a couple of weeks, and Fassnacht will be out for a couple of weeks. 

"Then there is Tony Springett, which we don't speak that much about, but that is a longer one and he will be out until after Christmas, I think. 

"It's a back injury. So far they have tried to deal with it without surgery but it can be surgery at some point. It is a back injury that causes big problems, so he will not be back until after Christmas.

"It's difficult to say [if he would have been a first-team option]. We didn't see him that much. I could see that he's played some games and had some minutes at the highest levels. He is one we had to see how close he is to the group - but now that's difficult."