On the back of their disappointing end to last season, the pressure is on Norwich head coach David Wagnerto instigate a turnaround in fortunes at Carrow Road.
The departure of Teemu Pukki spearheaded an end of an era for the Canaries, yet they arguably require that freshness to give themselves every chance of competing in what will be a higher-standard division during 2023-24.
Wagner has already overseen some notable additions, with Jack Stacey, Shane Duffy and Ashley Barnes all looking astute Championship signings and the acquisition of Borja Sainz having the potential to deliver flair and goals in the final third.
Some of those players made appearances on Tuesday night as Norwich were held to a 1-1 draw at Barnet, the East Anglian outfit having to made do with a share of the spoils despite Jonathanq Rowe giving them the lead.
High-profile friendlies with the likes of AZ Alkmaar, Toulouse and Olympiacos are to follow, yet Wagner knows that the hard work needs to be put in during these fixtures to get his team up to speed.
Meanwhile, King’s Lynn are back in action for the first time since losing to eventual winners Kidderminster Harriers in the National League North playoffs.
Having only missed out on automatic promotion by two points, King’s Lynn capitulated in the semi-finals, losing 4-1, and it is now up to Mark Hughes to galvanise his side ahead of another bid to earn a return to the fifth tier.
While a number of players have left for pastures new, the likes of Jack qSmith and Emmanuel Oke have been signed from Stevenage and Margate respectively.
Links >> Stream 1 HD Stream 2 HD Stream 3 HD Stream 4 HD
While Wagner used two entirely different Norwich XIs for either half against Barnet, he may be more inclined to select a stronger opening lineup on Saturday.
Of the players who featured in the second half versus the Bees, Stacey, Sam McCallum and Marcelino Nunez could be included from the first whistle.
Sainz is in line to make his first appearance off the substitutes’ bench after only beginning training at the start of the week.
Meanwhile, the make-up of the King’s Lynn side is somewhat of an unknown with this representing their first match of the summer.
