Norwich City’s 2025/26 campaign has been anything but straightforward. The optimism that swept through Carrow Road following the summer appointment of Liam Manning—brought in after his impressive spell at Bristol City—has quickly given way to a challenging reality. Injuries have ravaged the squad, fan discontent has bubbled over after a painful derby defeat, and the pressure on the new boss is mounting. Yet, with a busy fixture list looming and the international break drawing to a close, there’s a sense of cautious hope that the Canaries might soon turn a corner.
One of the most pressing concerns for Manning and his staff has been the growing injury list, headlined by the recent blow to Jose Cordoba. The Panamanian defender, who had been settling nicely into the heart of Norwich’s defense, suffered a hamstring injury while on international duty. Manning confirmed at Colney this week that Cordoba’s absence will stretch until at least December, ruling him out of a crucial stretch of fixtures. “Gutted for him because I thought he'd come in and done really well for those two previous games,” Manning told reporters, his disappointment unmistakable. The silver lining? Cordoba won’t require surgery, but the Canaries must plan without him for the foreseeable future.
Cordoba’s injury isn’t an isolated incident. In fact, he’s the second Norwich player to return from international duty sidelined, following Ben Chrisene’s hamstring setback with England’s Under-21s. Manning acknowledged the complexity of managing players’ health across club and country obligations. “The communication is constant (with the countries and the medical departments). There's so much data collected and information collected,” he explained. “To be clear we've got far too many injuries and it is something for me that we have to look at. But what's really difficult is to put your finger on exactly what is. There's so many factors for each case. When you look at Jose, for example, the travel involved, the change in climate, changing time zones, there's so many factors with all the lads when they get injured as to why it might happen.”
Norwich City’s squad depth, bolstered by significant investment since the summer of 2024, is being tested to its limits. The club’s most expensive signing, Mathias Kvistgaarden, remains out with a knee injury, while Pape Amadou Diallo is another long-term absentee. Ben Chrisene and Amankwah Forson are also working their way back from injuries, but there’s some good news on the horizon. Manning reported, “Ben is getting closer. Matthias has been back out on the grass doing work as well. (Amankwah) Forson getting closer. We need those lads back.”
The timing couldn’t be more critical. Norwich are gearing up for a busy run: a home clash with Bristol City, followed by away trips to Derby and Swansea. The pressure is on, especially after a disappointing East Anglian derby defeat to Ipswich Town—a result that drew vocal criticism from sections of the fanbase. Manning, while acknowledging the pressure, remains focused on the bigger picture. “Since day one, the work we've tried to put into the group and the elements that need to start to come through more consistently have been constantly worked on,” he said. “We carry big numbers, so we are in a position where we can make a tweak and a change, but we're not going to move away massively from what we're trying to do.”
The immediate question for Manning is how to patch up his defense in Cordoba’s absence. The centre-back department now leans heavily on Harry Darling (26) and Jakov Medic (27). Darling, a reliable presence, is expected to retain his spot, while Medic—signed in the summer—looks set for an extended run in the team. Youngster Ruairi McConville (20) could find himself on the bench, ready to step in if the injury curse strikes again. Once Shane Duffy is fit, the selection puzzle becomes even more intriguing.
Duffy’s story adds another layer to Norwich’s defensive saga. The 33-year-old, who has yet to feature under Manning and was reportedly close to leaving during the summer transfer window, is now on the cusp of a timely return from a calf injury. “He's very close. It's a big thing for us in terms of the next week to 10 days we expect more to return to the group,” Manning said, hinting at Duffy’s potential involvement after the Bristol City match. The manager was quick to praise Duffy’s off-field influence: “What I can't speak highly enough of is his voice, his presence, his leadership, his character. He was out there around the training session on Tuesday, and that is important. We need that.”
Duffy’s Championship experience could prove invaluable, especially as Norwich navigate this critical stretch. However, it’s not lost on fans that his performances last season drew mixed reviews. Will he return to the starting lineup, or will Manning stick with the younger, less-tested partnership of Darling and Medic? That’s one subplot to watch as the games come thick and fast.
The mounting injuries have forced Manning to shuffle his pack more than he would have liked. Kvistgaarden, the marquee summer signing, has yet to make the desired impact due to his ongoing recovery. Meanwhile, the likes of Chrisene and Forson are inching closer to full fitness, and Manning is hopeful that their imminent returns will inject much-needed competition and energy into the squad. “That is huge in terms of being able to select people, to have that competition, that fight for the shirt,” he emphasized.
Norwich’s struggles on the pitch have not gone unnoticed. The team’s performances have been below expectations, and with new faces still gelling, the pressure to deliver results is intense. Fans, understandably, are restless—especially after the derby loss. Yet, Manning’s approach remains steady, if not defiant. He’s determined to see his vision through, despite the setbacks. “We're fortunate. We carry big numbers, so we are in a position where we can make a tweak and a change, but we're not going to move away massively from what we're trying to do,” he reiterated.
As the Canaries prepare to face Bristol City, the focus will be on how Manning manages his depleted resources. The hope is that the return of key players like Duffy, Chrisene, Kvistgaarden, and Forson will coincide with an upturn in form. For now, Norwich fans will be watching closely, hoping that the worst of the injury crisis is behind them and that the team can finally find some consistency in both selection and results.
With the Championship schedule showing no mercy, every point and every player counts. The next few weeks could well define Norwich City’s season—will the Canaries rise above adversity, or will the injury woes continue to clip their wings? Only time will tell, but one thing’s certain: the drama at Carrow Road is far from over.