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Predicted Norwich City lineup to face Sheffield Wednesday: Pritchard returns for Naismith

Norwich's Steven Naismith in action with Watford's Ikechi Anya (REUTERS)
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Norwich City face arguably their most important fixture of the season against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

Norwich manager Alex NeilNorwich manager Alex Neil

Norwich City face arguably their most important fixture of the season so far when they travel to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

The Canaries know they can barely afford to lose at Hillsborough, with a win for the Owls moving them nine points clear of their eighth-placed opponents and all but ending their faint play-off hopes.

So with the stakes so high, how will Alex Neil play it?

Here’s how we at HITC suspect the Scot’s Norwich side will look:

In goal… John Ruddy

At the back… Ivo Pinto, Russell Martin, Timm Klose, Mitchell Dijks

Pinto returned to the side against Ipswich and is likely to keep Steven Whittaker on the bench, while the rest of Neil’s back line should remain as it is.

Across the middle…. Alex Tettey, Johnny Howson, Jacob Murphy, Alex Pritchard, Wes Hoolahan

With Graeme Dorrans still sidelined and Youssouf Mulumbu unlikely to feature, Norwich have few central midfield options beyond Tettey and Howson. Derby scorer Murphy should keep his place out wide, with Pritchard in line to join him and Hoolahan floating around behind a lone striker.

Norwich City's Alex Pritchard celebrates scoring their first goalNorwich City midfielder Alex Pritchard

Up front… Cameron Jerome

Jerome should get the nod, with Nelson Oliveira potentially out until April. Steven Naismith partnered the former at Carrow Road on Sunday, although his performance was not well received.