Norwich City vs Chelsea: Alex Neil set to make 'last-minute calls' on Sebastien Bassong and Wes Hoolahan

Norwich City manager Alex Neil will make a late decision on the respective availability of Sebastien Bassong and Wes Hoolahan prior to the Premier League visit of Chelsea. Both players were absent from the side that succumbed to a last-gasp defeat away to leaders Leicester on 27 February having sustained injuries during the 2-2 draw against West Ham a fortnight earlier.

Neil declined to specify exactly what problems had prevented the duo, who have made 53 appearances between them in all competitions so far this term, from making the trip to the King Power Stadium. He did, however, confirm that Andre Wisdom remains sidelined with an ongoing knee problem and reiterated that loanee Patrick Bamford would be ineligible to face his parent club.

"Andre is still out so he is not going to be available,"the Canaries boss was quoted as saying by the Eastern Daily Press at his pre-match press conference. "Seb Bassong and Wes (Hoolahan) will be last minute calls.

"It is two wee niggles, nothing major. What I wouldn't want to do is give away where the injuries are and that becomes a weakness for the two lads and a source of target for others maybe. Hopefully they can shake it off. Patrick is obviously ineligible."

Norwich gave a good account of themselves against Leicester, restricting their chances and looking likely to claim a deserved point only to fall victim to a late winner from substitute Leonardo Ulloa. That result leaves Neil's side level on points with 18th-place Newcastle and just a solitary goal outside of the relegation zone, although the Scot is hopeful that their fortunes will change soon.

"In recent weeks we've had games where we've been in control of them, but for one reason or another we've let a lead slip or found ourselves on the wrong end of the result," he said.

"Obviously I'm hoping that it's going to change on Tuesday. If we can get something out of the game then it would be a huge bit of encouragement going into Saturday's match. When we played Arsenal and Everton at home recently, we gave a really good account of ourselves and there's no reason why this can't be the same."