Norwich City manager Chris Hughton has given his backing to struggling striker Rickie Van Wolfswinkel and the Canaries boss is adamant that he can keep them in the Premier League.
Since making his £8.5million move to England from Portugal, Wolfswinkel has only scored one goal and that came on the opening day of the season during the side’s 2-2 draw with Everton.
After that game, the Dutchman has failed to make any impact whatsoever and is now sidelined with a toe injury.
Despite the lack of goals and the lack of quality-shown, Hughton still believes the striker will come good at Carrow Road.
“It is a small muscular problem in his toe and the difficulty we have had is it is one of those which has taken a little bit longer to heal,” said Hughton, who revealed goalkeeper Mark Bunn was set for a spell on the sidelines after a minor ankle operation.
“The very good news is it is not a serious injury, but he needs a bit of time to rest it, probably for a maximum of two weeks, and make sure he is 100 per cent, and he will be.
“We brought a few players in during the summer and some adapt quicker than others.
“When you have signed someone as a record signing, there is always that hype and expectation that comes with it.
“Some hit the ground running and the goals go flying in, others the contribution is good and it takes a bit longer.
“One thing I cannot fault Ricky on is what he has given the team in his work ethic, what he has not got is the goals he would have liked, but his contribution to the team has been very good.
“Sometimes that happens – if you look at the Premier League, there are also some other big name strikers who have come in and have not got the goals they would have liked either.
“Rickie is a confident lad and that comes from someone who is used to scoring goals.
“He took a little time to settle in when he moved to Portugal, so I have no worries about him.”
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles