Sargent misses Wrexham game for disciplinary reasons

Norwich City head coach Philippe Clement has confirmed that Josh Sargent will not be involved in the Championship game at Wrexham for disciplinary reasons.

The US international missed last weekend's FA Cup win against Walsall after texting Clement the night before saying he was 'unavailable'.

The Belgian has said Sargent's actions were "unacceptable" and he has been told to train with the second team.

"I'm not going into details about what this is about and what the future will be because I don't have a crystal ball - but he knows why he is training with the second team and we will see how it evolves in the future," Clement told BBC Radio Norfolk.

Sargent has scored 56 goals for the Canaries in 157 games and the club had said he will not be sold during this month's transfer window unless their valuation was met, following reports linking him with Major League Soccer side Toronto FC.

But Clement said: "In football, you can never say never. If somebody comes tomorrow to pay £100m for Josh, he will go. Saying no to everything will not be the case, but only if it's something that's a win situation for the club (will he leave).

"What's really important in this situation is we're in a relegation battle, so that was clear in this transfer window that we don't have any intentions to sell Josh."

'Convinced we will get out of this situation'

Wingers Ali Ahmed and Papa Amadou Diallo will both be available for the trip to north Wales.

Canada international Ahmed joined Norwich from Vancouver Whitecaps on 5 January, while Diallo has been out since September because of injury.

"They have two interesting profiles for the group. We need to bring them back step by step and not go too fast, although I am, of course, pushing things," said Clement.

"I am very excited to see them on the pitch because they can suit very well the football we want to play."

On Ahmed, he added: "We believe he can be a really good asset for the team and can help us achieve our goals.

"He had a break of four weeks and hasn't played for us yet so he needs to create connections with other players and get to know them but we saw already some really good things and everybody has a really good impression of Ali."

Norwich won 10 points out of 12 in their first four games last month, but two defeats in three since then have left them 22nd in the table.

They lost 3-2 at home to Wrexham in September and are hoping for a more positive result in their first league game in north Wales since 1981.

"It's been, in general, positive these last two months. If we continue on that path, we will get out of this situation.

"But my ambitions are higher than that. I want us to improve our levels month by month and that's clear for everybody. I am convinced we will get out of this situation, but I am focusing on the performances."