Friendly Preview: Cobh Ramblers -v- Norwich City

COBH RAMBLERS

Cobh Ramblers will look to take their minds off indifferent league form when they welcome English Championship club Norwich City to St Colman's Park on Wednesday night (kick-off 7.30pm).

Stephen Henderson's side bounced back from back-to-back defeats to Longford Town and Shelbourne with a comfortable 3-1 win over Athlone Town on Saturday night.

That win took the Rams back above UCD into second place in the league, three points behind leaders Waterford, with ten games remaining.

And the opportunity to test themselves against seasoned professionals and internationals is one that should stand them in good stead for the run-in.

“It's a big attraction for the club,” assistant manager Stuart Ashton told Cobh Ramblers TV.

“Especially the players, playing against seasoned professionals. Obviously they have internationals on board as well.

“From the players' point of view it's a good gauge of what level they're at as Norwich are a great club with great history.

“It's a great learning curve for our boys to see where they're at and where they should be.

“Obviously Norwich will come with the experience the bit of guile and hopefully our players can learn from that and take it on board, and progress.”

NORWICH CITY

Daniel Farke's reign at Norwich City begins in the surroundings of St Colman's Park as the squad take time out from their Irish training camp to take on the Rams.

Among those who have travelled to the south-west is Republic of Ireland international star Wes Hoolahan, who will hope to get some gametime under the new manager.

Should the former Shelbourne favourite make it on the pitch, Rams boss Stephen Henderson said he expects him to get a 'hero's reception.'

Other internationals in the squad include new signing, Bosnian Mario Vrancic, Norway's Alexander Tettey and Northern Ireland goalkeeper Michael McGovern.

“There's obviously a lot of change at the club with the new manager and stuff like that and a few new players,” striker Stephen Naismith told Cobh's media team.

“It's obviously good to get back in and see what changes have been made and how the new manager wants to work and obviously everyone's wanting to stake a claim for a game.

“Over the years, pre-season has changed in terms of less running and more ballwork from the off. It's [become] more enjoyable for players.

“They've worked us quite different to what we've done in the past but it's important we do what he wants and what he thinks is right. There's a lot of information to take in because of the style he wants us to play.”

Norwich have no confirmed injuries ahead of the game, but Jacob Murphy and Angus Gunn are absent after competing with England at the under-21 Euros in Poland.

Referee: TBC

MATCH STATS

N/A

BETTING

Cobh Ramblers 20/1; Draw 17/2; Norwich City 1/16.

PREDICTION

Cobh Ramblers 1 – 3 Norwich City

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: Unavailable.

Doubtful: Unavailable.

Norwich City

Injured: Unavailable.

Doubtful: Unavailable.

Unavailable: Angus Gunn, Jacob Murphy.