English Premier League: 4 Norwich City Players with Uncertain Futures

Manager Paul Lambert may have already decided on some players who are surplus to requirements, but some players in the Norwich City squad will feel uncertain about their future.

All the players in question have been given squad numbers and can expect to be named in the 25-man squad, but there are several players in front of them in their favored positions. Therefore, at best they are backup players, unless Norwich suffers an injury crisis.

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Chris Martin

Chris Martin is a local lad and would clearly love to remain at Norwich City, having come through the youth system at the club. However, the striker has had his share of off-the-field distractions and appears to be on his last warning if he wants a career at the top level.

Martin is clearly a talented footballer, but he found goals hard to come by in the Championship and will likely find it even harder in the Premier League.

It seems that Martin is living on borrowed time. This season Martin could be sent out on loan, but in the longer term his future appears to lay away from Carrow Road.

Simon Lappin

Simon Lappin joined Norwich City in January 2007 and ever since then has been a complete professional. Prior to signing for Norwich, Lappin had been playing in Scotland with St. Mirren.

Lappin has played an important part for the team in the last two seasons and has shown his versatility by playing at left back, left midfielder and central midfielder. However, the summer signings seem to have him well down the pecking order in any of the positions he can play in.

A season as a squad player is the best Lappin can hope for, but it will be interesting to see if he is sent out on loan to play more first-team football. Again his long term future seems to be away from Carrow Road.

It should be noted that Lappin signed a contract extension last season, so Paul Lambert will probably want to hold on to the player, at least for the time being.

Aaron Wilbraham

Striker Aaron Wilbraham joined Norwich City in January for around £100,000. Prior to joining Norwich, Wilbraham had spells with MK Dons, Bradford, Oldham, Hull and Stockport. But this striker had played in the lower leagues and was never really a prolific goal scorer.

Wilbraham was signed by Lambert as a striker who could give Norwich a similar option to that offered by Grant Holt in terms of holding up the ball. However, that seems to be less of a need, now Norwich have signed Steve Morison from Millwall.

Wilbraham can't expect to make many Premier League starts and must be wondering where his future lies.

Korey Smith

Korey Smith, another product of the Norwich City youth team, played a very important part in the first team when Norwich won the League One title. Last season he also played an important part for the team in the Championship, but his first-team opportunities were more limited.

It is likely that Premier League appearances will also be scarce, so Smith may expect to play at least part of the season out on loan. Smith is still thought to be young and has every chance of having a long-term career with Norwich City.