2 weeks Ago
Jack Wilshere begins life as interim head coach in the Norwich City dugout this afternoon as the Canaries face play-off-chasing Middlesbrough on Teesside. The former Arsenal and England international midfielder Wilshere has stepped into the role after the departures of Johannes Hoff Thorup and Glen Riddersholm earlier this week following City's 3-1 Easter Monday defeat to Millwall in the capital. FAO: ANDROID USERS If you are consuming today's live blog on an Android device via the Pink Un app, please use two-finger scrolling to navigate through it or by clicking here Wilshere, 33, joined Norwich from Arsenal, where he was under-18s boss and is hoping to use the final two games of the Championship campaign to stake his claim for the role on a permanent basis.
City have won just one of their last 10 Championship matches, including six defeats, and are hoping for a reaction this afternoon. Number one Angus Gunn is expected to return to the squad after the birth of his baby son over the Easter weekend. Attacker Ante Crnac is still sidelined after suffering an ankle injury in their 2-1 defeat to Plymouth.
He is expected to return for City's final away game of the campaign at Middlesbrough. Winger Matej Jurasek is also unlikely to be fit as he continues to adapt to the intensity of the division and manages a quad issue that has limited his time on the pitch since signing in January. Duo Lewis Dobbin and Ben Chrisene are likely to miss the remainder of the Championship campaign after injuries sustained in the 1-1 draw to Blackburn earlier this month.
Lucien Mahovo's quad injury has also ended his campaign, with Norwich weighing up whether surgery is the next step. Gabe Forsyth is expected to miss the remainder of the Championship campaign after undergoing knee surgery. Michael Carrick's side still hold the cards in their push for a top six finish - but need a victory today to advance their claims.
Boro have lost three of their last four Championship matches, including a 2-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday last time out. They currently sit seventh in the table, three points behind Coventry who they face on the final day. Both Riley McGree and Neto Borges are not expected to be available for this afternoon's clash, but Carrick was hopeful experienced defender Darragh Lenihan could make the matchday squad.
Wilshere is hoping to become the first interim boss to record a victory in charge of City since Alan Irvine in his spell in 2017. - Follow live updates via our live matchday blog above and join the debate with chief Norwich City reporter Connor Southwell live from the Riverside Stadium.
