Norwich City told to swerve Plymouth Argyle move despite Mo Toure blow | OneFootball

Norwich City fan pundit Zeke Downes believe the club has enough quality to cope without Mo Toure after his latest injury issue.

Norwich City have been told they may not need to go into the market for a new striker in January despite Mo Toure suffering another injury setback.

The Australian international has been outstanding since he joined the club in January, scoring nine goals in 11 games last season, and he has followed that up with five in seven in the current campaign.

However, Toure missed a chunk of last season due to injury issues, and he suffered a shoulder problem that requires surgery in the recent defeat to Bolton, which will keep him out for ‘months’.

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Norwich City striker situation after Mo Toure setback

Given his ridiculous form since arriving from Randers, this is a real blow for the Canaries, who have had a slow start to the season under Philippe Clement.

There was an expectation that Norwich could push for promotion this season, and whilst they still could, the Norfolk outfit are currently 17th in the table, and they have been unconvincing defensively.

So, losing their top scorer is something Clement didn’t need, although the return to fitness of Jovon Makama is a bonus considering how good he has been over the past year or so.

As well as Makama, the Belgian boss has Mathias Kvistgaarden and Ante Crnac among his options to play up top, so he will work on finding the right formula in Toure’s absence.

Norwich City told they don’t need to sign Plymouth’s Bim Pepple

Even though Toure’s quality isn’t up for debate, his fitness problems are becoming a concern, and Makama is another who has struggled to stay fit.

Therefore, Norwich could use January to add another number nine, and they had been linked with Plymouth’s Bim Pepple in the summer.

The 23-year-old enjoyed a very productive season at Home Park last time out, scoring 16 League One goals, and he has continued that in the opening six weeks of the 2026/27 season, finding the net three times in eight games.

With his pace and direct style, the Canadian looks capable of making the step up, and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if there was interest in the player once more in the New Year, even if Argyle will be determined to keep their key man.

Yet, when asked by FLW whether the Canaries should revisit a move for Pepple, Norwich fan pundit Zeke Downes explained why he feels it shouldn’t be a priority for the club at the moment, as he believes they have enough quality in the ranks.

“I don’t think we will need to sign another striker because I think that’s too many strikers, because we’ve already got three others without Toure.

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“As long as Makama stays fit, which who knows (if he will), then we’ll be okay. And, Toure’s injury isn’t going to be a long one I don’t think. It will be months, but it’s not like he will miss over half the season, so I think we should leave it as it is, but we can reassess in January if we need to.

“But, we don’t need to make a bloated squad even worse, so we’re probably okay right now as we are.”

Norwich City will need a productive January transfer window

There is a lot of football to be played between now and January, but it seems apparent that Norwich are going to have to do some business to help them in their quest for promotion.

Right now, even with Toure’s injury, most would agree that the priority needs to be at the other end of the pitch, as Norwich are shipping goals for fun, and several players in that defensive unit are not playing well enough.

Toure’s injury is obviously a massive blow, as he is a brilliant striker at this level, but Makama has shown that he is also a quality number nine, and Kvistgaarden and Crnac offer something else.

So, if they can stay fit, Norwich should be able to cope until January, but if Clement does decide that he wants another striker, then Pepple would be a smart addition as he is an exciting talent who has the potential to make his mark in the Championship.