Crofts could miss out for Wales

Crofts: Doubtful for Wales friendly due to ankle problem

Paul Lambert does not expect Andrew Crofts to feature for Wales next week after the midfielder missed Norwich's final pre-season 3-0 friendly win over Italian side Parma because of an ankle injury.

Both Crofts and Canaries striker Steve Morison have been included in Gary Speed's squad to face Australia at Cardiff City Stadium on Wednesday night.

However, Lambert feels Crofts, 27, will not be involved and would prefer to keep a close eye on him at Carrow Road.

"More than likely (he won't play for Wales)," Lambert said.

"He has still got a bit of puffiness with his ankle, which is why he was not involved at Coventry and was not ready for this game.

"We will monitor him over the next few days to see how he is. Hopefully Crofts will be okay for Wigan."

A close-range effort from captain Grant Holt and a second-half brace by winger Andrew Surman saw Norwich warm up for next weekend's Premier League opener at Wigan with a confident display in front of a 13,000 crowd.

Ready

Lambert was happy enough with the performance, which followed a midweek 1-1 draw against Real Zaragoza.

"Results are irrelevant, it is about how you play and hopefully we are ready," the Norwich boss said.

"It is nice to win, but it is not the be all and end all, we played very well today.

"I am delighted with the players today, now it will be for real and we will see what happens.

"We have waited long enough for our first Premier League game, but we will be up against a really tough Wigan side."

Norwich will also check on the fitness of Russell Martin after the full-back pulled out of the warm-up on Saturday afternoon with a calf problem.

Striker James Vaughan, signed from Everton, and centre-back Elliott Ward will definitely miss the start of the season after suffering minor knee injuries during a training camp in Germany.