39-year-old Norwich City boss Liam Manning speaks out on Mahoney’s absence in the defeat to Bristol City. Full explanation given.

Lucien Mahovo has underwent tests to determine the extent of a’re-injury,’ according to Liam Manning, after the attacking full back missed Norwich City’s 1-0 Championship defeat to Bristol City.

Manning is likely to deliver a more specific report on Monday, when he previews the midweek trip to Derby.

The 20-year-old’s prospective first-team debut was cut short last season due to a quad injury, although Mahovo had appeared off the bench in the previous two league games.

Jeffrey Schlupp began against the Robins, and Kellen Fisher was introduced late at Carrow Road.

“It’s frustrating,” Manning added. “He underwent extensive quad surgery, and we reintegrated and built him up over a long period of time. It wasn’t a major re-injury, but he felt something in a similar region. So we have to be cautious because of the type of surgery he underwent.

“There’s nothing major. We’re merely keeping an eye on it because there’s a chance of re-injury. He really scanned it (on Friday), therefore we need to know the final conclusion and plans. Just a minor issue in a similar place of his leg, or underneath it.

“As much as I’d love to have him available, because I thought he did well in the two appearances and I think he’s someone who’s got a really exciting future, you can’t be reckless either.”

Prior to the recent defeat at Carrow Road, Manning stated that Shane Duffy (calf), Ben Chrisene (hamstring), and Mathias Kvistgaarden (knee) would be available for upcoming league games.

Tony Springett was a surprising inclusion on the City bench for his first appearance in a year following back surgery, but Manning is counting on the return of important players to help City pull out of their hole.

“I think having some people back will definitely help that,” he joked. “When you make as many transitions as we did this summer, there is certainly more chance for error. What doesn’t help is having a slew of injuries, and not being able to utilise competition to drive it, so if someone isn’t performing, you can modify it and say, ‘Right, you’re out because you’re not stepping up and doing it.

“That has been challenging. The good news is that we’ll have another three or four bodies returning the following week, which I believe is huge.

“I told the lads in the dressing room after the game that they needed to look in house. A few people need to take a look at themselves and stop waiting for things to happen.

“We can offer them everything, but once the game starts, I can’t play for them. I cannot do everything for them. We can offer them the plan, but they must execute it and find a way to win.

“Planning is fantastic, but what happens when the opposition changes? You can’t stop the game after 20 minutes and say, ‘Right, start doing this’. That’s where you need people to step up, take responsibility, and be brave in those situations.