Reyna set for Canaries clash

Manchester City midfielder Claudio Reyna is in line for a first-team return against Norwich on February 28 after successfully negotiating a 45-minute reserve outing against Middlesbrough last night.

The United States skipper has made just one brief appearance since September after being forced to undergo thigh surgery, but Blues boss Kevin Keegan now hopes Reyna will be fit for the final 11 games of the domestic campaign.

Reyna could also turn out in next Thursday’s second string Manchester derby at Altrincham in readiness for the televised trip to Carrow Road, where he will provide competition for Paul Bosvelt and Joey Barton, whose inexperience was exposed during last weekend’s 2-0 defeat by Alex Ferguson’s men at Eastlands.

City were grateful to the heroics of another long-time injury victim, goalkeeper Nicky Weaver, for their 1-1 draw against Boro at Sport City.

The former England Under-21 stopper capped an outstanding display by saving Daniel Graham’s penalty after the Middlesbrough striker had seen his first-half opener cancelled out by Bradley Wright-Phillips.