Grant Holt is back in training after overcoming a hamstring injury and is set for a return to the Norwich side for their Boxing Day clash with Chelsea.

But City will be without defender Steven Whittaker, who suffered a recurrence of a hip injury when the Canaries' 10-match unbeaten run in the Barclays Premier League was ended at West Brom on Saturday.

Russell Martin is in line to replace Whittaker at the back while Holt is expected to return up front in place of Steve Morison.

Ryan Bennett is also back in training and manager Chris Hughton is positive about his chances of featuring against either Chelsea or Manchester City on December 29.

Hughton is braced for a ``formidable'' challenge from a Chelsea side he believes could still be in the hunt for the title.

The Canaries were beaten 4-1 at Stamford Bridge earlier this season and they face Chelsea just three days after the Blues stunned Aston Villa 8-0.

The Chelsea supporters may not be entirely convinced by manager Rafael Benitez, but Hughton agrees with the Spaniard that their title bid is not over yet.

Chelsea are third in the league, 11 points behind leaders Manchester United and seven behind Manchester City with a game in hand.

``They have great attacking options. We experienced that at their place a couple of months ago,'' Hughton said.

``Victor Moses is starting to show his real quality now. Fernando Torres is hitting very good form.

``The fact they kept a clean sheet against Aston Villa as well shows the quality and depth they have throughout the squad.

``David Luiz playing in midfield is a role everybody felt was a role he could do and he showed some real quality.

``They are fairly formidable. They are placed very well in the league with a game in hand. They are still in the Capital One Cup with a great chance to progress (to the final).

``At the moment Chelsea are on a high and he [Benitez] will be judged on that.

``He will perhaps look at the two teams above them at the moment and think `will they go through the season without dropping points?'

``That is very difficult. Swansea showed against Manchester United that everybody is fighting. If they (Chelsea) put a good run together then everything is possible.''

Benitez looks set to be without Chelsea captain John Terry again.

Terry is still suffering inflammation on his knee following surgery and is unlikely to be fit at Carrow Road.

Ryan Bertrand also remains a doubt after he was forced off in Wednesday's Capital One Cup quarter-final at Leeds and was not included in Sunday's line-up against Aston Villa.

Benitez is refusing to dismiss Chelsea's hopes of winning the title despite the sizeable gap between themselves and leaders Manchester United.

Asked if he will tell his players they can still win the league, Benitez said: ``We will see after two or three more games.

``You could see the team had confidence in themselves, they believed, and that was there to the end.

``They had good movements, created chances. Now we have to sustain this run and it will be easier for me to say we can compete.'


www.espnfc.com/en/preview/345680/preview.html?soccernet=true&cc=3888

norwich 1-6 chelsea

anytin less is a disapointment

;DGo on blues.

1st to comment

Red-Light:
norwich 1-6 chelsea

anytin less is a disapointment

Yes oooo

Hidden Post? Am d .. to ..now. Chelsea gonna come out tops

Go blues Go!!

Please start Luiz in midfield and Oscar ahead of Moses....






I made 1st page woohooo...!

Red-Light:
norwich 1-6 chelsea

anytin less is a disapointment

Everyday is not christmas please. Chelsea is losing today. I hate chelsea with my last blood

I see rain of goals

Pls where is 'afam4eva'. Waiting 4 him to join d jobless chelsea haters like franchizy & knorkle2. U shall all b disappointed 2day.

We will knock the witch out of them.

franchizy:

Everyday is not christmas please. Chelsea is losing today. I hate chelsea with my last blood

commit suicide if they win.

franchizy:

Everyday is not christmas please. Chelsea is losing today. I hate chelsea with my last blood

knorkle2: me too ... i really hate cfc!

[size=28pt]clap 4 ursef 4 hating chelsea[/size]

wkid: Pls where is 'afam4eva'. Waiting 4 him to join d jobless chelsea haters like franchizy & knorkle2. U shall all b disappointed 2day.

This match is gonna be tough for Norwich. Chelsea will hold them to a draw.

afam4eva:
This match is gonna be tough for Norwich. Chelsea will hold them to a draw.

Draw ko drawing board ni. Na win 4 chelsea jo.

franchizy:

Everyday is not christmas please. Chelsea is losing today. I hate chelsea with my last blood

Adieu! Adieu!! Adieu!!!

wkid:
Draw ko drawing board ni. Na win 4 chelsea jo.

A draw against Norwich will just be like a win for chelsea considering that would lose to Norwich on a normal day.

Considering Chelsea's current form I expect them to win. However, not by a wide margin cos Norwich have very good defence.

But the top teams have been inconsistent this season, so one can't predict. I don't think anyone should risk betting their money on this game. chikena

franchizy:

Everyday is not christmas please. Chelsea is losing today. I hate chelsea with my last blood

U hate Chelsea... U cant stop d victory..

knorkle2:

me too ... i really hate cfc!

My dear don't mind the Ashawo Chelsea Fans. If market good they will rejoice, if Market bad, u c rains of blames on players and coach.
Chia chia chia
Tufiakwa
Up Man Utd the king of EPL

Mikel don suffer

i wanda y pipu de hate chelsea?....na so e de pain una reach?na wa o.

knorkle2:

me too ... i really hate cfc!

You know what happens to hater? They end up committing suicide cos they mostly would not be able to stand humiliation

These players should be home enjoying xmas and new year with their families. Which kin Prem be this sef. Abi dem no fit protest?

Make I ku ku enjoy the match sef.

Chelsea are expected to line up in
the following 4-2-3-1 formation:
1 Petr Cech
28 Cesar Azpilicueta
2 Branislav Ivanovic
24 Gary Cahill
3 Ashley Cole
4 David Luiz
12 John Mikel Obi
13 Victor Moses
11 Oscar
10 Juan Mata
9 Fernando Torres
Substitutes: 22 Ross Turnbull , 19
Paulo Ferreira , 57 Nathan Ake, 8
Frank Lampard , 17 Eden Hazard ,
21 Marko Marin , 35 Lucas
Piazon .

I don't think SS will show the chelsea match.

game on!

afam4eva:
This match is gonna be tough for Norwich. Chelsea will hold them to a draw.

i was actually waiting 4 ur prediction of doom that always become blessing 4 chelsea

hmmm.. It may not be a goal galore afterall buh lets wait and c

see as dem wan break my oscar leg

mataaa looks jaded......easily losing the ball