BARNES: IT’S MAKE OR BREAK TIME

ASHLEY BARNES is desperate for Norwich’s stars to return from the international break unscathed.

The flying Canaries signed off for a fortnight with this big victory at struggling Stoke.

Josh Sargent, Gabriel Sara and Barnes did the damage as David Wagner’s play-off contenders picked up a sixth win in nine.

There will be just eight games left after the break.

Scotland’s Angus Gunn, Grant Hanley and Kenny McLean, USA’s Josh Sargent and Chile’s Marcelino Nunez will all be away.

Canaries striker Barnes said: “Hopefully we get the internationals back with no injuries and get the squad back together healthy ahead of a big push.

“We’ll make sure we come back raring and ready to go. Everyone knows what they need to do to achieve our goal and that goal is promotion and get to the play-offs.”

Wagner’s men are three points clear of nearest chasers Hull, who have a game in hand. And Barnes (above) knows just how important it is to the club to secure a play-off berth.

“It was a massive win,” added the former Burnley ace. “You can see the fans celebrating, it was a delightful one for everyone. I’m delighted to score. As a striker you always want to hit the back of the net.

“But it’s everyone else at the end of the day. It was a great team performance.”

For Stoke, it was an eighth defeat in their last 11 outings. They are now just two points above the dreaded drop zone.

Captain Josh Laurent said: “It wasn’t good enough. It’s well below the standard we have set ourselves recently.

“We were well off it out there. They were better than us and deserved their win.”