STEVE Foley today warned of the danger Darren Huckerby can cause Ipswich Town in Sunday's Coca-Cola Championship derby at Carrow Road.Huckerby is rated doubtful after suffering a back problem in the warm-up to Tuesday's 3-0 defeat at Burnley after the injury-hit Canaries drove to Lancashire on the day.

By Elvin King

STEVE Foley today warned of the danger Darren Huckerby can cause Ipswich Town in Sunday's Coca-Cola Championship derby at Carrow Road.

Huckerby is rated doubtful after suffering a back problem in the warm-up to Tuesday's 3-0 defeat at Burnley after the injury-hit Canaries drove to Lancashire on the day.

However, if he recovers in time Foley says Huckerby will have to be watched.

Now working with the Ipswich first team with manager Jim Magilton and Bryan Klug, Foley was first team coach at Norwich until the end of last season.

“I have worked a great deal with Darren and he is a good professional,” said Foley, who will be making his first return to Carrow Road since his dismissal last May.

“He is one of the fittest lads I have worked with and he can be a match-winner.

“We must work on denying him the ball and stopping him running at us.”

Foley is also well aware of the threat from 18-goal Robert Earnshaw, who returned to action with a penalty goal at Leicester last weekend after three months out with a groin strain.

“If Robert is in the side Norwich will feel confident they can score,” he added.

“He cost £3.5million, which is a lot of money and shows his worth.

“We coped with him in the home fixture against City and if he plays we must do the same again.”

Welsh international Earnshaw, who made his Canary debut in last season's 2-1 home defeat by Ipswich, said: “We are looking forward to Ipswich.

“We want to beat them for the fans and for the whole club. It is the biggest rivalry we have.”

The Blues will be seeking their first double over their Norfolk rivals since 1992/93.

There may be an element of derby bluff, but Norwich say that youngsters Kris Renton, 16, and Chris Martin are their only strikers not currently undergoing treatment.

Veteran Dion Dublin picked up an ankle knock at Burnley and Chris Brown and Peter Thorne are out for the season.

City manager Peter Grant said: “Darren Huckerby is struggling and going to be a big problem for us at the weekend.”

With midfielder Lee Croft (hip) also a doubt and Youssef Safri (hamstring), Luke Chad-wick (thigh), Simon Lappin (hand), Mark Fotheringham (back) and Gary Doherty (hernia) reported to be out for the season, the Canaries could well name a very young squad.Martin and Renton could be joined by Republic of Ireland U18 international midfielder Michael Spillane, 17-year-old South African striker Bally Smart, as well as defender Andrew Cave-Brown and midfielder Patrick Bexfield who are both 18.