Alex Neil to rotate Norwich squad for Capital One Cup tie at Everton

Alex Neil will give his fringe players a chance to impress as Norwich look to hit back from three consecutive defeats when they face Everton in the Capital One Cup.

Norwich have lost to Leicester, Newcastle and West Brom, denting the confidence in Neil's squad after a fine start to their Premier League campaign.

He is set to make alterations for the fourth-round fixture at Goodison Park on Tuesday in a bid to freshen things up and arrest a disappointing run which has seen nine goals conceded.

Striker Dieumerci Mbokani remains a doubt because of illness but midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu is among those expected to return.

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Neil said: "I don't think it will be wholesale changes. There'll be a few. I'll give guys an opportunity who have trained well and deserve a chance.

"You have to make sure the guys are not thrown together, you have to give them an opportunity. At the weekend Ryan Bennett came in after not featuring. There are definitely places up for grabs.

"That is not a secret and the squad are fully aware of that. Results haven't been as good as we would expect so some of the other lads will get an opportunity."

Norwich visit Premier League leaders Manchester City on Saturday and Neil concedes some of the rotating of his squad will be with that game in mind.

Neil added: "I have got to have one eye on that. We'll give it our all but I need to balance it off to make sure we are fresh.

"The league is our bread and butter. That is the most important thing for us this year. We want to do well in the cup but if you are prioritising then the league is most important.

"Not for a second is it a case I could do without this fixture because I can give players a game. The lads not playing are just as important to me as the ones who are. In a week or two they might be the ones called upon, so it is crucial."