Norwich City manager David Wagner isn’t expecting to have leading goalscorer Josh Sargent for this weekend’s crucial trip to Preston North End.
Sargent is doubtful for the Canaries trip to Deepdale on Saturday due to quadricep tightness, the manager confirmed Thursday. The American striker played 61 minutes on Tuesday, scoring his 15th EFL Championship goal of the campaign.
However, his absence on Saturday comes at a vital time for the Canaries in their push for promotion.
“Josh went off after 60 minutes with some quad tightness. He is a doubt because he was not able to train today,” Wagner said in a press conference transcribed by PinkUN.
“To be fair, the last couple of weeks in terms of training it has been all good, and he has been able to follow the regime,” Wagner added. “He has played now a lot of 90 minutes, and then Tuesday night, he felt his quad. This is why we got him off. There are some further games after Saturday, and hopefully a few more after the regular season as well.”
Sargent missed most of the first half of the season through injury but returned in 2024 in stellar form. A total of 12 of Sargent’s 15 goals have come in the new year, making him one of the more productive strikers in Europe.
Norwich City will hope Sargent’s absence is lengthy with only four matches left in the EFL Championship season. The Canaries host Bristol City and Swansea City in its final two home matches before visiting Birmingham City on May 4 in their season finale.
If he goes somewhere- the fit will be critical- hopefully to a manager who really wants him, system that fits- where he is needed. I honestly think Josh’s best shot at PL success is with Norwich making the playoffs and getting promoted so he can stay with a team/manager where he is already established, his qualities known, appreciated, trusted. The jump in levels is already daunting- add to that integrating with a new team, team mates, system, earning the trust of the manager takes up the challenge another level.
Brentford end the season with a pretty favorable schedule.
But they aren’t safe yet.
“It seems Sargent is probably back in the Prem next year, one way or the other.”
Not if Brentford get relegated and buy him
Yes, losses to Luton and/or Everton would put them in serious trouble.
AC Milan will need a striker next season… Sargent to Milan would make a lot of sense.
Not saying it isn’t intriguing or a possibility, but I’d guess that a club with their history and prestige would want someone with a better tract record (resume) than Sargent has. I expect them to sign a bigger name who has has a better record.
Josh really only has 1 season where he’s done well and been the primary striker along with possible injury concerns…I don’t see it happening.
This past summer there were rumors that they were interested in Balogun but that was probably to give him a season as an understudy….but the price went too high.
I could see them sign a Veteran striker on a short term contract and try and steal a guy like Josh Sargent as a back-up….but the price has to be right.
“Josh really only has 1 season where he’s done well and been the primary …..along with possible injury concerns…I don’t see it happening.”
That’s true of all of our outfield guys , except our Fulham guys Antonee and Timmy and no one is hot on them since they are old news, or maybe just old.
The best of them is CP 11 and it’s hard to remember but this is his ONE best, hopefully, full season.
Track record? You expect too much.
“but I’d guess that a club with their history and prestige would want someone with a better tract record”. Brentford earned promotion in 2021, their first time in the top flight since 1947. Their highest top flight finish was in 1936 with 5th and have never made it past the quarterfinals of the FA Cup (which they haven’t reached since 1989). They are 16th this year in player salary, so they aren’t big spenders. They’ve signed an up and coming Brazilian, they’d be signing Josh as a veteran that they know they can count on to be average if the youngster tanks.
Not many strikers performing mich better than Sargent in Europe of yiur name isn’t Kane, Haaland, or Mbappe.
2Tone,
“Not many strikers performing mich better than Sargent in Europe of yiur name isn’t Kane, Haaland, or Mbappe.”
Looks like Lige 1 could use some goal scorers
EPL
Ollie Watkins Aston Villa 18
Mohamed Salah Liverpool 17
Cole Palmer Chelsea, 16
Dominic Solanke AFC Bournemouth 16
Son Heung-min Tottenham Hotspur 15
Jarrod Bowen West Ham United 15
Alexander Isak Newcastle United 15
Championship
Sammie Szmodics Blackburn Rovers 23
Adam Armstrong Southampton 19
Morgan Whittaker Plymouth Argyle 19
Crysencio Summerville Leeds United 17
Haji Wright Coventry City 16
Jack Clarke Sunderland 15
Bundesliga
Serhou Guirassy VfB Stuttgart 24
Loïs Openda RB Leipzig 21
Ermedin Demirovic FC Augsburg 15
Deniz Undav VfB Stuttgart 15
Lige 1
Jonathan David Lille 16
Keep hearing Brentford is eyeing him as a replacement for Ivan Toney. Next year is apparently the last year of Toney’s current contract and he’s 28 to boot, so Brentford supposedly is willing to part with Toney for £30-£40 million. Transfermrkt has Sargent as being worth just £12 million though I saw a couple of places that £20 million is the likely price tag should Norwich not win promotion.
It seems Sargent is probably back in the Prem next year, one way or the other.
I honestly haven’t watched much of the EPL this season, and certainly haven’t seen any Brentford matches. While it would be nice to have more USMNT guys in the EPL, but I want them to go to good situations. Clubs where they’re wanted but also have an opportunity to succeed. Not sure Brentford has the supporting cast of players, so not sure that would be a good move.
We have 2 more club seasons before the WC. We need everyone in our player pool playing and contributing. Right now our Striker depth chart is wide open, and even if Josh has been in good form for his club, he has been unable to participate in any camps for a significant amount of time. If he wants to remain in contention with Balogun, Pepi, and Wright he has to be playing and find a way to stay healthy. If not for his long injury lay-off this year Norwich would likely be in a better position for promotion. Even if Norwich doesn’t get promoted this season, I could see Josh staying with the Canaries & Wagner. He’ll see consistent minutes, they’ll challenge for promotion (again), and should have high level of confidence.
Brentford has already signed young Brazilian Thiago 26g across all comps for Club Brugge (reportedly 33 million pounds). They’re also losing Maupay so if the interest is in Josh it’s likely as their #2. The Bees also had reported interest in Jonathan David but that seems to have quieted after signing Thiago and as other bigger EPL clubs drive up his price.
Brentford end the season with a pretty favorable schedule.
But they aren’t safe yet.
“It seems Sargent is probably back in the Prem next year, one way or the other.”
Not if Brentford get relegated and buy him