Brad Hills is set for a Norwich City return next week after being sidelined with a small back complaint over the last fortnight. 

The highly rated young defender has been a noticeable absentee from City's matchday squads and under-21 matches after impressing in pre-season and being rewarded with a new long-term deal at Carrow Road. 

Hills has been applying pressure to City's frontline defensive options, with Johannes Hoff Thorup and sporting director Ben Knapper opting to keep him in the squad despite loan interest after a productive season at Accrington last term. 

City's boss clarified the England U20 international's situation and is hopeful for a return imminently. 

"He had some back pain issues and has been out for 12 days now," Thorup revealed. "He's not been out on the pitch or in training, so that's the situation with him. 

"It's nothing severe, but he felt pain and couldn't train. He went for a scan to see if anything was wrong, and it was okay so we just have to treat him. I think he will be ready from the start of next week so that he can compete again." 

Thorup has been boosted by a double training return however, with wingers Christian Fassnacht and Tony Springett returning to team training this week following Achilles and back injuries respectively. 

"Fassnacht has been in with the group, and Tony Springett is also a player that we don't talk that much about, but it's also really nice to see him back," the Dane said. 

"He's been fighting back to get back with the group, and it's nice to see him back. We've had a good amount of players this week, and stepping into this part of the season, it's nice to have some options."

Tony Springett is back in Norwich City training after injury. Tony Springett is back in Norwich City training after injury. (Image: Martyn Haworth/Focus Images Ltd) As City prepare to travel to Cardiff without key trio Angus Gunn, Marcelino Nunez and the suspended Kenny McLean, Thorup reported no fresh injury doubts. 

"No real concerns [ahead of this weekend]. It's always a fine balance between keeping the energy in the group and also using the days of training where we can prepare, develop and improve," said Thorup. 

"Coming out of the game on Sunday, it's been okay, and the players are feeling good."