Josh Sargent’s absence has been a major loss for EFL Championship side Norwich City, but things are starting to look up for the Canaries ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup involvement.

Sargent could make his return into Johannes Hoff Thorup’s squad as Norwich City faces EPL club Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup third round. The U.S. men’s national team forward has missed the last 14 league matches for the Canaries due to a groin injury that he suffered in late-October.

Sargent hit the ground running last fall, scoring four goals and adding five assists in 12 league appearances for Norwich City. However, his two-month absence has left the Canaries without their top attacking weapon, forcing others to step up in Sargent’s absence.

Should Sargent make it through this week’s training schedule healthy, it is very likely Thorup will give the Missouri native his first minutes of 2025.

“Brighton is the plan, and of course things can change, because we put him into team training at the start of this week, and then, of course, we have to see how it goes,” Thorup told Pink UN. “If everything goes well, then the plan is to give him some minutes against Brighton so he can be fully ready for the next Championship game.”

Sargent has been a key player for Norwich City over the past four seasons, tallying 37 goals in 112 appearances. The 24-year-old has been linked with several returns to the Premier League, but decided to stay in Norfolk and try and help the club get back to the top flight.

Norwich City sits in 11th place in the Championship table, just four points back off of the promotion playoff places. Thorup believes Sargent’s return to the squad will provide a major boost to the group, bringing a similar energy to that of a new acquisition.

“It feels like a new signing when he comes back into the team,” said Thorup. “He’s been out a lot, and I think his presence in the box is important, with the dominant style that we have now, in particular the last month or so where I think many of our games has been a game picture that we actually want.

“To have him available, and have him as an option, will be good for the team, but also just his personality,” Thorup added. “He’s a big leader on the pitch and outside the pitch, so that’ll be fantastic for us to have him back.”

Norwich City hosts the Seagulls at Carrow Road on Saturday before a tough stretch of league matches against Sheffield United, Leeds United, and Swansea City.