Gabriel Sara has no issue with Norwich City fans' decision to choose Kenny McLean over him in the club's player of the season vote.

The Brazilian was denied a second consecutive Barry Butler Memorial crown despite more than doubling his goal contributions from last term, finishing second in the club's poll behind first-time winner McLean.

Sara understands why, however, and says he would have chosen the Scot himself if he had the ability to vote.

"To be fair, I would have voted for Kenny," he said. "Everyone sees goals and assists, but he's an important part of our squad.

"He controls everything, you know. If we score goals or give assists, it's because he's holding everything for us.

"He's marking, he's tackling, he's doing the dirty work so that we can do the easy job. I definitely would have voted for him.

"If you remember when we had a bad run, he was holding everything. So I'm really happy for him."

Although Sara enjoyed the individual recognition of the trophy last season, the team comes first for the 24-year-old.

That's why he much prefers the current situation to a year ago, when his personal successes were in stark contrast to the overall fortunes of his side.

He knows nothing's been achieved yet, however, and won't take his foot off the gas with Norwich still four games away from a Premier League return.

"If I think about player of the season last season, I was player of the season and we finished 13th," he continued.

"This year Kenny won and we're in a play-off spot, so I'm really happy with this year, to be fair.

"Everyone's ready for the next battle, and hopefully three more in the play-offs. We have to be ready for everything.

"Nobody is thinking 'oh, that's done'. We have more work to do, and hopefully we win the next game. The season really starts now."